Farias fundraises off Diaz ‘rat’ comment

(File photo) Above (l to r): City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, former Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, 21 in’21 Executive Director Moira McDermott, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand​, former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, EffectiveNY Executive Director Morgan Pehme, Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, 2021 City Council candidate Amanda Farias.

In an email to supporters former 2017 and declared 2021 Council candidate Amanda Farias blasted CM Rev. Rubén Diaz Sr. for his “Unapologetic mafia mentality.”

In an email also titled, Unapologetic mafia mentality,” Ms. Farias writes: “After Diaz Sr.’s comments and behavior yesterday, I know this for certain: The only way that we will be able to stop his outrageous, divisive agenda is by taking back Council District 18 and putting a true Democrat in that City Council Seat in 2021.” Farias aims to run in a rematch against Diaz in the Bronx’s 18th council district.

Back in 2017, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club endorsed Democrat Amanda Farias for City Council in the Bronx’s 18th Council District.

Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club endorsed Democrat Amanda Farias for City Council in the Bronx’s 18th Council District back in 2017.

She continued saying, “Sexual assault isn’t a partisan issue. It isn’t divisive. We should be working to protect people, not belittling the genuine problem of sexual assault as just ‘a compliment.'”

In her email, she took issue with Diaz describing speaking up about sexual harassment as “being a rat”, Faris called it more than problematic. She said “it contributes to the toxic office culture we are trying to dismantle.”

“The work to create safe work environments that uplift women cannot move forward if our elected officials encourage [mafia]-like protection for predators,” wrote Faris.

Farias vowed to “fight like hell to make sure we’re building up women, creating safe spaces for ALL people and holding the elected officials that do not represent our values accountable.”

The 2021 Council candidate ended her missive with a plea for financial help “to take down Ruben Diaz Sr. and his boy’s club politics.”

In an email to The Bronx Chronicle, the young challenger said that community residents have reached out to every time Cm Diaz says something upsetting. “[Diaz’s] harmful, outdated views and rhetoric aren’t representative of the community as a whole, and people are not only disappointed, but exhausted by it,” said Farias.

She is already endorsed by the “21in21,” an initiative to elect at least 21 women to the 51-member City Council by 2021. Beyond 21in21, she has been formally endorsed by NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, Council Member Helen Rosenthal and a student-led organization, Our Progressive. Locally, former 2017 rival Elvin Garcia has reportedly expressed support for her efort in 2021.

Friends of Farias organized the email blast to her supporters.

This post has been updated to include Ms. Farias’ emailed statement in response to a Bronx Chronicle inquiry.

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