Barron Opens Candidacy For Brooklyn
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The race for the presidency of Brooklyn is off to an early start with City Council Member Charles Barron, a former Black Panther, officially announcing his candidacy yesterday by promising to represent all Brooklyn residents, but “take care of black folk.”
Mr. Barron said he is unapologetic about his plan to address the needs of black residents in Brooklyn. Speaking in front of Brooklyn Borough Hall surrounded by supporters, he said Brooklyn needs more affordable housing and jobs, as well as someone to stand up to developers trying to use eminent domain to secure land. He also called for an end to mayoral control of the city’s schools.
He argued that his platform would benefit white residents as well, because “when I take care of black folk, that’s going to impact you,” he said.
Mr. Barron, currently embroiled in a fight with Speaker Christine Quinn over the firing of his chief of staff, Viola Plummer, is famous at City Hall for utilizing racial rhetoric in his political battles.
Ms. Quinn fired Plummer for threatening to destroy the political career of another council member even if it took “an assassination.” Mr. Barron has railed against the move and said the disciplinary action against his chief of staff is an example of white power run amok at City Hall. He continues to support Plummer’s fight against her dismissal.
While announcing his candidacy yesterday, he responded — without prompting — to critics who say he focuses too much on race.
“You ain’t heard enough yet,” he said. “Because I’m going to keep talking about it.”
The Reverend Al Sharpton spoke at the rally, saying he will work churches, subway stops, streets, and housing projects to ensure Mr. Barron is the first black president of Brooklyn. He also praised the candidate for defending Plummer.
Thirty-six of the council’s 51 members face term limits in 2009 and council members Bill de Blasio and Domenic Recchia are among those believed to be considering a run to replace the president of Brooklyn, Martin Markowitz.
According to the latest New York City Campaign Finance Board reports on fund raising through July 11, Mr. Barron has raised no money; Mr. de Blasio has pulled in $307,745, and Mr. Recchia has $147,784 for a campaign.
