Politics

Political news and stories in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

• Third Avenue safety and housing lead Community Board 7’s September meeting

  CB7’s September meeting centered on Third Avenue safety, St. Rocco’s housing, neighborhood complaints and upcoming land-use decisions.

• Neighbors mark 250 years with celebration and concern

  Sunset Park residents discuss July 4 traditions, neighborhood concerns and birthright citizenship during the nation’s 250th anniversary.

• Sunset Park overwhelmingly backs progressive NY-10 challenger

  Brad Lander dominated Sunset Park election districts as progressive candidates scored major victories in New York City’s Democratic primaries.

• Residents confront city officials over planned 25th Street shelter

  HELP USA announced plans for a community advisory board and neighborhood hotline during a heated CB7 meeting about the planned 25th Street shelter.

• Community composting funding hangs in the balance as budget deadline looms

  With NYC’s budget deadline approaching, local compost advocates are pushing to preserve $6.25 million in community funding.

• Sunset Park author Maritza Arrastia imagines a progressive future in Grito 2048

  Sunset Park author Maritza Arrastia discusses Grito 2048, a novel imagining global resistance, cooperation and a more humane future.

• CB7 criticizes DOT and opposes school at contaminated gas station site

  CB7 criticized DOT truck-route changes, backed two street co-namings and opposed a charter school at a contaminated former gas station.

• Puerto Rican pride takes over Fifth Avenue this weekend

  Sunset Park’s Puerto Rican Parade celebrates culture, rights and a long community fight to claim space in the neighborhood.

• Lawsuit alleges new men’s shelter violates NYC Fair Share policies

  GWHA sued the city over a planned 200-bed shelter, saying Sunset Park already carries too many city facilities.

• Brooklyn Grange farmworkers rally over stalled contract talks

  Brooklyn Grange workers rallied over stalled contract talks after unionizing as New York City’s first urban farm union.

• CB7 backs Pier 6 signs, discusses shelter and zoning concerns

  CB7 discussed Pier 6 signs, Third Avenue safety, Brooklyn Army Terminal parking, a 25th Street shelter and a new rezoning plan.

• Businesses fear costly impact of security grille mandate

  Sunset Park businesses push for changes to Local Law 75, which requires security grilles to allow 70% visibility by July 1.

• UPROSE celebrates cooperative solar project going online

  UPROSE celebrated a community solar project at Brooklyn Army Terminal that will offer local subscribers projected electric bill savings.

• Workers discuss wages, ICE presence and local job opportunities

  At a Sunset Park labor town hall, workers, organizers and residents discussed wages, immigrant rights, job opportunities and solidarity.

• Sunset Park schools see growing need for food support

  Sunset Park school food pantries report rising demand as food prices, SNAP cuts and immigration fears strain families.

• St. Rocco’s development sparks heated, ongoing debate

  A proposed redevelopment of the former St. Rocco’s site draws questions over height, affordability and the future of the block.

• Climate jobs, small businesses and historic districts shape debate over change

  Sunset Park’s waterfront debate continues as GRID 2.0, BATWorks, solar power and Industry City shape competing visions for the neighborhood.

• Rundown of the CB7 General Board Meeting

  A quick rundown of what Community Board 7 discussed on April 15, from the Green-Wood greenway and IBX to St. Rocco’s and street tree care.

• Food truck owners organize amid enforcement and lower sales

  Food truck owners on Fifth Avenue say complaints, enforcement and ICE activity have cut sales and pushed them to organize in Sunset Park.

• Local charter school faces resistance

  As Brooklyn RISE prepares to open a new Sunset Park building in 2027, some residents and educators question the need for another nearby school.

• Balancing public safety and trust in a neighborhood on edge

  Traffic safety efforts in Sunset Park are colliding with fears over NYPD checkpoints, profiling concerns and demands for transparency.

• After an ICE arrest in Sunset Park, one family fights to hold itself together

  After a Sunset Park father is detained by ICE, his family struggles with fear, separation and the long uncertainty of immigration court.

• Community groups adapt mental health support as anxiety rises

  As immigration fears rise under Trump, Sunset Park groups are adapting mental health services to better support Latino immigrant communities.

• Opinion: Young voices matter in the fight against family separation

  A high school student reflects on a February anti-ICE protest in Sunset Park and calls for unity against family separation.

• Residents voice opposition to proposed NineDot Energy battery facility near homes and schools

  A proposed NineDot Energy battery storage site near Brooklyn’s Eighth Avenue Chinatown is drawing opposition from residents worried about safety.

• Volunteers hand out “know your rights” kits as immigration fears rise

  After Minneapolis immigration raids, Sunset Park groups distribute whistles and “know your rights” kits, emphasizing preparedness and community protection.

• Locals weigh in on the Chinese internet’s heated debate over the “zhǎnshā xiàn”

  In Sunset Park, residents talk about “zhǎnshā xiàn,” “rùn měi,” and what economic risk looks like in real life in the United States.

• After a pause, advocates watch for Third Avenue safety upgrades

  After NYC DOT paused Third Avenue safety plans in 2025, Sunset Park advocates watch for movement under Mayor Mamdani’s administration.

• Accordion at the picket lines: Paul Stein’s lifelong soundtrack of protest

  Sunset Park accordionist Paul Stein brings music to picket lines, vigils, and rallies, blending a life in law with decades of protest and community song.

• Brooklyn CB 7 addresses ICE raids, honors retiring member

  At CB7’s Jan. 21 meeting, Sunset Park residents and officials discussed ICE activity and safety, and honored Jeremy Laufer’s 25 years of service.

• Hundreds of New Yorkers return to work at SBMT

  A judge lifts the Empire Wind stop-work order, restarting construction and jobs tied to SBMT in Sunset Park.

• UPROSE and NYCEDC see different way forward

  UPROSE and NYCEDC clash over BATWorks vs. Grid 2.0, debating who benefits from climate tech development at Brooklyn Army Terminal.

• Venezuelan residents respond to the nation’s leader being held nearby

  Sunset Park Venezuelans react as Nicolás Maduro is held at Brooklyn’s MDC, weighing hope, anger, and unanswered questions about what comes next.

• What do Luigi Mangione, a state senator and a pizzaiolo have in common?

  Luigi Mangione’s case has fueled debate over healthcare anger, the New York Health Act, and how Sunset Park residents, including a local pizzaiolo, see change.

• Weekend of ICE detentions shakes Sunset Park

  A spike in ICE detentions in Sunset Park fuels community alerts, fundraising for legal help, and questions about enforcement tactics.

• Residents report being pressured to leave during inspections

  Residents and documents allege staff pushed clients out during Callahan inspections at the 38th Street shelter; DSS says trips are voluntary.

• Long Island leader and governor hopeful brings campaign to Sunset Park

  Bruce Blakeman campaigned in Sunset Park with state lawmakers, criticizing rent freezes, gifted-program changes, congestion pricing, and migrant spending.

• Cycle Alliance expands access to period supplies

  Cycle Alliance at Sunset Park Library offers free period supplies as advocates say school access remains uneven.

• Mamdani visits Mixteca for Three Kings Day celebration

  Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined Mixteca’s Three Kings Day celebration in Sunset Park, highlighting immigrant services and new City Hall priorities.

• Vigil for Democracy holds weekly protest outside Sunset Park’s MDC

  A weekly Tuesday-night Vigil for Democracy outside Sunset Park’s MDC protests ICE detention and calls for the release of immigrant detainees.

• Seniors face uncertain future amid SNAP cuts

  Sunset Park seniors and CPC warn that a 2025 federal law and new work rules could reduce SNAP access, adding fear and confusion for Chinese elders.

• CB7 ends the year with a holiday meal and a retirement announcement

  CB7’s final meeting of 2025 made time for a holiday meal, a plaque presentation, and District Manager Jeremy Laufer’s retirement announcement.

• Weekly vigil protests ICE and war in Gaza

  A weekly Sunset Park vigil protests ICE and the war in Gaza, building a steady presence on Fifth Avenue every Saturday.

• CB7 weighs Open Streets, votes on co-naming during transportation meeting

  CB7’s Transportation Committee weighed a street co-naming, feedback on LEEP’s School Open Streets on 54th Street, and a slate of safety requests.

• SNAP delays raise demand for food aid in Sunset Park

  SNAP delays and new federal rules are driving a sharp rise in food aid demand in Sunset Park, where thousands of residents rely on the program for daily meals.

• Reports of ICE sighting near PS 1 prompt community mobilization

  Witnesses reported seeing ICE vehicles near PS 001 Tuesday evening, prompting a community mobilization and renewed calls for coordinated neighborhood response.

• Mamdani supporters celebrate win at Sunset Stoop watch party

  Mamdani supporters packed Sunset Stoop in Sunset Park to celebrate his historic mayoral win, as fellow democratic socialist Alexa Avilés won her council race.

• Parents push for clarity on COMPASS funding

  Parents and educators in Sunset Park question how the city decides which schools can access COMPASS after-school funding.

• Sunset Park’s Chinese community faces dual challenges of SNAP theft and benefit cutbacks

  Sunset Park’s Chinese community faces both SNAP theft and tighter federal rules that could strip benefits from many struggling households.

• Shelter resident’s plea, dispensary debate, and ferry cuts headline CB7’s October meeting

  Shelter resident’s plea, a Fifth Avenue dispensary debate, ferry cuts, and a budget workaround dominated CB7’s October meeting in Sunset Park.

• CB7 defers approval of cannabis dispensary application

  Residents voice safety and business concerns as CB7 debates a proposed cannabis dispensary on Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park.

• Afterschool is not optional — it’s infrastructure

  Sunset Park’s P.S. 516 fights to keep its vital afterschool program alive after sudden federal cuts, urging the city to step in with COMPASS seats.

• Opinion: Universal daylighting saves lives

  Universal daylighting can save lives. Sunset Park calls on the City Council to pass Intro 1138 and end dangerous corner parking.

• New charter high school opens on Fifth Ave

  Launch Charter High School opens on Fifth Avenue with just over 60 freshmen, raising questions about rental assistance and impacts on local public school funds.

• Hundreds march in Sunset Park to stand against ICE

  Hundreds marched through Sunset Park to stand against ICE, calling for passage of the New York for All Act and distributing safety guides to immigrant families.

• The future of SBMT unveiled at learning center launch in Sunset Park

  WindScape Brooklyn opens in Industry City, linking Sunset Park students to offshore wind jobs, hands-on exhibits, and Empire Wind’s construction.

• Unopposed District 43 councilmember reviews results, outlines challenges

  Unopposed, Susan Zhuang reflects on education, community programs, Eighth Avenue challenges, and her push to strengthen unity in Sunset Park.

• Councilmember seeks third term representing District 38

  Councilmember Alexa Avilés reflects on her childhood, her record in Sunset Park, and her priorities on housing, immigrant services, and English classes.

• District 38 Republican candidate is “ready for something different.” Are you?

  Republican Luis Quero challenges Alexa Avilés in Sunset Park’s District 38, highlighting crime, immigration, nonprofits, and burying the BQE.

• Documentary highlights Sunset Park family’s fight for just housing

  The documentary "Slumlord Millionaire" screened Sept. 13 at Sunset Park Library, spotlighting Fabián Bravo’s tenant fight and the future of housing advocacy.

• Local writer pens book on Mamdani campaign, “Run Zohran Run!,” from Sunset Park POV

  Theodore Hamm’s “Run Zohran Run!” shows how Mamdani fought off attacks, drew strength from Sunset Park, and made democratic socialism feel normal in New York.

• Remembering Jamel Floyd: Celebration honors his life and calls for MDC reform

  Noise celebration in Sunset Park marks Jamel Floyd’s 42nd birthday and renews calls for justice and reform at MDC Brooklyn.

• GrowNYC’s free food distribution program comes to an end, raising fears of worsening food insecurity

  GrowNYC ends free food distribution in Sunset Park, leaving seniors and low-income families worried about losing fresh produce access.

• Sunset Park Ferry Stop Threatened in NYCEDC’s 2025 South Brooklyn Route Overhaul

  NYC Ferry’s 2025 optimization removes South Brooklyn line service to Sunset Park, raising equity concerns in Sunset Park—advocacy urged.

• Sunset Park Solar generates climate justice

  UPROSE and partners launch community solar at Brooklyn Army Terminal, giving Sunset Park subscribers bill credits, 15% savings, and a community fund.

• Developers break ground on Pier 6 to expand green space at Bush Terminal

  NYCEDC breaks ground on Pier 6 to add five acres of public space at Bush Terminal Park, with places to walk, rest, gather, and learn.

• Coffee with an undocumented neighbor

  An undocumented Sunset Park nanny on crossing as a child, her mother’s illness, and raising her son amid renewed enforcement and fraying safety nets.

• At Mixteca, community care takes many forms

  Mixteca offers legal aid, mental health, and community support to Latinx immigrants in Sunset Park, despite growing political pressure.

• Community demands action after deadly crash on Third Avenue

  Two killed on Third Avenue sparks rally in Sunset Park. Advocates demand safety upgrades as city delays long-promised improvements.

• Two more deaths on Third Avenue. When will the city care about Sunset Park?

  After two more deaths on Third Avenue in Sunset Park, a local activist demands the city prioritize pedestrian safety and community lives over traffic flow.

• BCA celebrates its Dyker Heights Senior Center, reflects on growth and challenges

  Brooklyn Chinese-American Association celebrates Dyker Heights Senior Center's 2nd year, highlighting community growth, evolving challenges, and ongoing support

• Primary Winner Avilés Vows to Finish What She Started

  Alexa Avilés wins big in Sunset Park's Democratic primary, pledging to complete unfinished projects and continue fighting for affordability, immigrant protectio

• Primary Election Reminder: Tuesday, June 25

  NYC primaries are Tuesday, June 25. Ranked choice voting, local races, extreme heat, and a free beer for voters in Sunset Park.

• “No place to go”: Neighborhood’s largest senior center faces eviction

  Sunset Park’s United Senior Center, serving thousands monthly, celebrates Father’s Day while facing imminent closure over steep rent hike.

• Sunset Park council member defends her record and looks ahead

  Councilmember Alexa Avilés reflects on her first term, defends her record, and outlines priorities ahead of the June 24 primary election.

• Local challenger runs on practicality over ideology

  Ling Ye challenges incumbent Alexa Avilés in District 38, emphasizing practical solutions over ideology in Sunset Park.

• Rep. Goldman Moves Office to Sunset Park Amid Protests

  Rep. Dan Goldman moves his office to Sunset Park amid protests over his support for U.S. military aid to Israel.

• “Business” brisk at local early voting site

  “Business” brisk at Sunset Park early voting site