On Friday, Nov. 13, Mino Lora, artist, educator, and co-founder and executive director of People’s Theatre Project (PTP), a citywide social justice arts organization, released her campaign launch video for her bid to win the District 11 City Council seat in the Northwest Bronx.

In the 48-second video, Lora says, “This pandemic continues to make clear who actually rises to the occasion in times of crisis – it’s us, the people. We are a community of dreamers and doers, and we keep this city running.”

She continues, “I’m a Latina immigrant. This is not a unique experience in District 11, and it’s precisely why we need our voices heard. This campaign is fueled by our joy, our pain, and our passion. With me, as your councilwoman, this is the fire we’ll bring to City Hall.”

According to Lora, her career spans decades in education, the arts and community-building, and she says her campaign platform is focused on justice for all: racial justice, justice for immigrants, health, economic, housing, education and cultural justice, and criminal justice reform.

 

 

“When we put people first, we win,” she said via a written press release. “The celebration and hope we saw in the streets last week was exactly what we needed,” she added, referring to the presumed presidential win by President-Elect, Joe Biden.

Lora continued, “And it’s the same energy we’ll use to name and take on the challenges ahead of us here in the Bronx, and [in] New York City, especially when it comes to rebuilding after this pandemic.” She added that systemic oppression and racism are built into every layer of society, and that this is precisely why the community “needs to elect bold leaders, unafraid to take them [oppression and racism] out at the root.”

Lora said she is not accepting any contributions from corporate PACs, the fossil fuel industry, law enforcement unions or real estate developers.

Finally, she said the community deserves to live with dignity and joy.

Other candidates in the race include retired NYPD detective, Carlton Berkley, teacher and Bronx CB8 committee chair, Eric Dinowitz, environmentalist and entrepreneur, Jessica Haller, adjunct professor and social worker, Abigail Martin, lawyer and CB8 committee chair, Dan Padernacht, and Male District Leader in the 80th Assembly District, Marcos Sierra. Dionel Then dropped out of the race earlier this year, endorsing Dan Padernacht.