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.

Deirdre Feerick, candidate for the 26^th Council District, has received the endorsement of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). The UFT has over 228,000 members and represents over 89,000 teachers, 17,000 classroom professionals, and 53,000 retirees of the New York City Public School system.

In announcing the endorsement, UFT Director of Legislation & Political Action Paul Egan stated the Deirdre's "commitment to public education, labor, human rights and civic action are the reason for our endorsement." Egan continued that Deirdre has "indicated in words and deeds that every child in every neighborhood has a right to a sound basic education and that our school system must be committed to high academic standards."

Egan noted that the endorsement "followed an extensive process involving input from rank-and-file members, a broad and comprehensive review of issues of concern to our members , both citywide and in your district, and careful consideration of every level of UFT governance."

"I am extremely grateful for the support of the UFT" said Feerick in response to the endorsement announcement, "and look forward to working with the union and its members on behalf of the children of the communities of the 26^th Council District. Feerick continued: "I have long been an advocate for improving our public schools through working with teachers, parents, and school employees to make sure our children are best prepared to succeed in New York City."

Deirdre has announced her candidacy to succeed current Council Member Eric Gioia who is vacating the office to run for Public Advocate. As a lifelong resident of the 26th district, Deirdre's decision to run for City Council stems from her steadfast commitment to public service and her willingness and ability to fight for the communities of Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, Astoria and Maspeth.

Deirdre received the first endorsement of the race in February 2009, by the Detectives' Endowment Association of New York City, followed by the endorsements of the Captains Endowment Association of the NYPD and the Assistant Wardens/Deputy Wardens Association, Borough President Helen Marshall, Congressman Joseph Crowley, the Queens County Democratic Organization, Plumbers and Gasfitters Local Union # 1, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3, and the Lesbian & Gay Democratic Club of Queens.

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

For Immediate Release                                                         Contact: Edward Kiernan

July 30, 2009                                                                          (347) 724-0291 / (718) 784-2193

 Assembly Member José Peralta Endorses

Deirdre Feerick in Bid for City Council

July 30--Queens Democratic City Council Candidate Deirdre Feerick has received the endorsement of Queens Democratic Assembly Member José R. Peralta in her September 15 Democratic primary campaign in the 26th City Council District.

"In these times of economic uncertainty when so many have lost their jobs and people are unsure how they can pay their rent or afford their health care, it is overwhelmingly clear that Deirdre Feerick is the leader with the vision and drive voters of the 26th Council District need to represent them," said Peralta.  "Her proven track record of getting results for residents, her mastery of the everyday issues that impact on peoples' lives--from education to housing to public safety--and her dedication to the district where she has spent her entire life make me certain that on Day One Deirdre will be a dynamic leader in the City Council.  I enthusiastically support her campaign to be the  next council member of the 26th Council District."

Peralta is a first-generation Dominican-American, whose immigrant parents worked blue-collar jobs to support his family.  Peralta, whose Assembly district he calls the "United Nations district" because of its rich ethnic and racial complexity,  also applauded Feerick's commitment to immigration equality. Peralta, a member of the Assembly's Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus said, "As a proud Latino who understands the struggles many immigrants face, I encourage my Latino brothers and sisters in the 26th Council District and all people who value fairness and integrity to stand by Deirdre Feerick, who is their ally and will be their unflagging advocate."

Feerick expressed her deep gratitude for Peralta's support.  "Assembly Member Peralta is a trailblazer and a leader of great vision, whose amazing life story proves that with hard work the American dream is alive and well.  I deeply appreciate his support and commit myself to working with him to make sure that Queens remains the crown jewel of the city's boroughs and a place where people from every walk of life want to raise their families," said Feerick.
 
Feerick, a lifelong resident of the 26th Council District (Sunnyside, Woodside, Dutch Kills, Hunters Point, Long Island City and parts of Maspeth and Astoria), is a SUNY graduate and an attorney who got her law degree from Brooklyn Law School.  The eldest of six sisters, Feerick's mother is a nurse and her late father was an NYPD detective and a teamster.  Feerick is the granddaughter of Irish immigrants.

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.

For Immediate Release                                                                     Contact: Edward Kiernan

August 30, 2009                                                                                 (347) 724-0291 / (718) 784-2193

Gay and Transgender Leaders Endorse Deirdre Feerick

Aug. 27—two leading members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community of Queens have announced their endorsement of Deirdre Feerick for the Democratic nomination for City Council District 26 (Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, Dutch Kills, Hunters Point and parts of Astoria and Maspeth).

"I've known Deirdre Feerick for over a decade and worked with her closely and she is far and away the best qualified person to represent the 26th Council District in the New York City Council," said Charles J. Ober, a former Democratic City Council candidate in Queens. "I'm delighted to have the opportunity to support Deirdre's candidacy for City Council," said Ober.

Along with Pauline Park, a transgender activist, and other community leaders, Ober co-founded a leading LGBT community institution in Queens in 1997 as well as the Guillermo Vasquez Independent Democratic Club of Queens (GVIDCQ) in 2002.

"I'm endorsing Deirdre Feerick for City Council because I'm convinced that she will be a tremendous ally for LGBT people in the borough of Queens," said Pauline Park, a transgendered woman of Asian descent who has been active in LGBT community organizing in Queens since 1996. "Deirdre's unequivocal support for LGBT community organizing in Queens and for marriage equality in New York constitute a compelling argument for LGBT community members to support her candidacy," said Park.

Feerick responded: “I am deeply grateful for the support of two well-respected, hardworking community leaders who have waged a long fight for fairness and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.  Just as they have stood by me, I promise to stand by them in the City Council.”

Park emphasized Feerick's commitment to the rigorous enforcement of the New York City transgender rights law as well as implementation of the Dignity in All Schools Act (a safe schools law enacted by the City Council in 2004).

Feerick, a lifelong resident of the 26^th Council District, is running in the September 15 Democratic primary to succeed Democratic Council Member Eric Gioia, a candidate for public advocate, who has also endorsed   Feerick. 

The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club and the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club, two prominent LGBT Democratic organizations, have also endorsed Feerick.