For Immediate Release                                                         Contact: Edward Kiernan

July 26, 2009                                                                          (347) 724-0291 / (718) 784-2193

Deirdre Feerick Calls for an End to Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community

JULY 26--Queens Democratic City Council candidate Deidre Feerick joined members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and other community members on Sunday at a rally in Jackson Heights to denounce recent bias attacks on two transgender women in two neighborhoods in the borough. Feerick, a Democratic district leader and attorney, addressed the group of concerned community residents and said: "It is important that we all come together to support Carmella Etienne and Leslie Mora, victims of vicious attacks that should never have happened. We need to make sure our community's streets are safe for all. The police department deserves credit for catching the criminals who attacked these women and it it important that law enforcement continues to work with leaders of the transgender community to ensure the safety of everyone in such a diverse borough as Queens."

Feerick joined event organizers, Brendan Fay, a human rights activist, and Melissa Sklarz, a transgender activist and New York State Democratic committeewoman, elected officials and other community leaders in observing a moment of silence for Mora, Etienne and other victims of anti-transgender violence. Mora and Etienne suffered wounds from which they are healing. Fay observed, however, that in recent bias incidents nationwide transgender people have been murdered in vicious bias attacks.

Two men have been charged with committing a hate crime for the July attack on Etienne in St. Albans and two other men are charged with June's Jackson Heights attack on Mora.

Feerick, a lifelong Woodside resident, is running in the September 15 Democratic primary election to succeed Democratic Council Member Eric Gioia in the 26th City Council District covering Long Island City, Dutch Kills, Astoria, Sunnyside and Woodside. Feerick, a staunch advocate for LGBT rights, has received the endorsement of the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens.

For more information visit: http://www.FeerickForCouncil.com

For Immediate Release                                                                                 Contact: Edward Kiernan

August 13, 2009                                                                                             (347) 724-0291 / (718) 784-2193

Correction Officers Give Full Support to Deirdre Feerick

Uniformed Workers Need Feerick's Strong Voice in the City Council Says Union

Aug. 13-Deirdre Feerick, a Democratic City Council candidate in Queens' 26^th Council District, has gotten a strong endorsement from the city's 9,500-member correction officers union, the largest municipal jail union in the nation and the city's second largest law enforcement union.

Norman Seabrook, the president of the Correction Officers' Benevolent Association and a nationally recognized labor official, civic leader and reformer, said to Feerick:  "As a community district leader for many years, you have demonstrated a strong commitment to fighting for affordable housing, to creating a better education system, quality health care, and achieving economic stability. You understand the challenges that working men and women face both in your district and in the entire City of New York. And you have demonstrated a deep appreciation for the sacrifices that those of us in the uniformed forces make on behalf of all New Yorkers, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week."

Feerick, running to be the district's first female elected council member, thanked Seabrook for his support and pledged to stand up for the men and women who safeguard the city's jails.  "I am proud and awed to get the backing of the hardworking members of the Correction Officers' Benevolent Association. My candidacy exemplifies the grit and dedication to public service that correction officers show every day on the job.  I pledge to stand by them and all the hardworking residents in my district as a council member," said Feerick.

Feerick seeks to win the Democratic nomination in the September 15 primary election to represent the seat (Woodside, Sunnyside, Long Island City, Hunters Point, Dutch Kills and parts of Maspeth and Astoria) being vacated by Council Member Eric Gioia, who is running for public advocate.  Gioia has endorsed Feerick.

Feerick has also received endorsement of the Detectives' Endowment Association of New York City, the Captains Endowment Association of the NYPD and the Assistant Wardens/Deputy Wardens Association, as well as the endorsement of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, representing nearly 50,000 active and retired police officers across the five boroughs. 

Feerick's broad-based, community-driven campaign has won support from a wide variety of labor and civic groups and elected officials, including the borough's Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club, Borough President Helen Marshall, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Assemblyman José Peralta and the Queens County Democratic Organization.

Feerick, a lifelong resident of the 26^th District, is a SUNY graduate and attorney who studied at Brooklyn Law School.  Her mother is a nurse and her late father was an NYPD detective.

For Immediate Release                                                         Contact: Edward Kiernan

August 11, 2009                                                                     (347) 724-0291 / (718) 784-2193

The City's Finest Gives Huge Boost to Deirdre Feerick

Police Union Honored to Support City Council Candidate Deirdre Feerick

Aug. 11-- Deirdre Feerick, a Democratic candidate for the City Council's 26^th District (Sunnyside, Woodside, Dutch Kills, Long Island City, Hunters Point and parts of Maspeth and Astoria) has received the endorsement of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.  The union is the nation's largest municipal police union, representing nearly 50,000 active and retired police officers across the five boroughs and its endorsement of Feerick exemplifies the broad base of support her candidacy is accumulating in her bid to become the district's first elected female council member.

PBA President Patrick Lynch said Deirdre's "proven track record and commitment to law enforcement are well recognized." Lynch added that "as police officers who face, every day, the chance that we might be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice, the members of the PBA will be honored to have you representing our members."

Feerick responded, "As a young girl growing up in Queens, I never imagined one day being a candidate for City Council, not to mention getting the support of a union which has done so much to help make the Big Apple America's safest big city.  Whether it's the heroic sacrifices that the men and women in blue made on September 11^th, or the everyday service they provide day in and out to keep New Yorkers safe, the police union embodies the courage, dedication to public service and integrity that characterize my campaign.  As the daughter of a police officer, I am deeply honored and humbled to get the PBA's support."

Feerick's community-based campaign has gotten wide support among city workers, including endorsements from Council Member Eric Gioia, the Queens County Democratic Party, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Former Council Member Walter McCaffrey, the United Federation of Teachers, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500, the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 338, and Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Feerick, a SUNY graduate and attorney who studied at Brooklyn Law School, is a lifelong resident of the 26^th Council District.  Feerick is the eldest of six sisters.  Her mother is a nurse and her late father was detective in the New York Police Department.  Feerick is a City Council attorney who has led oversight on improving health, housing, education and public safety services.