Name of Council Candidate: Alicia Barksdale Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Hilary Saunders, Campaign Manager

Campaign Website: www.aliciaforcouncil.com

2013 CITY COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Many in the United States think of international affairs when they think of human rights. Our work emphasizes the applicability of the human rights framework here in the United States. Please share your thoughts on the domestic applicability of human rights, and discuss why human rights are important to you in the context of New York City and the City Council. Human rights are an essential part of the United States legal, political, and social foundation. These basic rights symbolize our countrys core values of dignity, justice, equality, and equal opportunities. I intend to work diligently with fellow councilpersons to end economic and social injustice, along with any form of discrimination in New York City. Voters in my community and district have expressed the need for equality and basic rights regarding housing, availability of healthy produce, the criminal justice system, and other basic fundamental rights. As a councilperson I will work tirelessly to represent my district and the City to give our residents a larger voice in solving the problems and difficulties facing our communities. 2. How have you used current or previous professional positions to advance human rights? 3. What will your top 3 legislative priorities be in your first term as Council Member? My top three legislative priorities are as follows: 1. The fundamental right to housing that is affordable to all residents. 2. Fair and equal treatment for all women in New York City. 3. The right to a quality education with full and equal access for all children of New York City. 4. What will your top 3 budget priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Housing Promoting full and complete transparent management of the New York City Housing Authority by guaranteeing the appropriate and fair disbursement to New York Citizens based upon need. 2. Jobs Our Citys budget can be used as a tool to create within the City and the 7th District. I intend to lobby for additional minority contracts, and create a plan to increase employment within our communities by creating additional infrastructure projects that employ the unemployed.

3. Education Educational funding should reflect the actual needs of students and retain excellent teachers by paying a decent wage. New York City should also provide additional incentives to make teaching a desirable profession. 5. Do you plan to use participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? Yes. With a full targeted planning, these funds can bring real impact to our neighborhoods and communities. My neighbors have expressed the need for housing, arts, culture, education, seniors and youth services, and health services. I also plan to give the local community boards within my district funding to provide community forums, seminars, and events that support the community. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. The New York City Council passed two bills, known together as the Community Safety Act, in June 2013. The stated objective of these bills was to t increase oversight of the police department and the expansion of New Yorkers to sue over racial profiling by the NYPD. This bill received overwhelming support with the City Council, despite strong opposition from Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Kelley. I believe this bill is a major to promote human rights. With the recent tragedy of the Trayvon Martin killing, and the fight against NYPDs Stop and Frisk policy, this legislation prohibiting bias-based profiling is long overdue. This proposes to become a local law to amend the administration code of New York, in relation to prohibiting biased-based profiling. This legislation will go a long way to promote human rights and I am glad to see the City Council act quickly. 7. Legislation is only one of many ways in which Council Members can work to advance human rights. What ways other than through legislation will you advance the human rights of New Yorkers as a City Council Member? Certainly there are many ways to promote the advancement of human rights. One sure way is to work diligently in the City Council to see that all human rights legislation is fully implemented. Another way is to form coalitions of likeminded councilpersons to bring forth strong and effective legislation to impact the advancement of residents human rights. 8. Some advocates contend that the position of the Council Speaker has too much power over the advancement of legislation. Please use this space to respond to that critique. Yes, this is true. Any person that holds a principal position in City agency should be compelled to report to the City Council Member when the Laws and decisions are going to affect peoples human and civil rights. Everyone sh ould answer to someone and not have full power to abuse their position they hold. For more information, please visit www.urbanjustice.org.