Regarding the Controversy around Our Recent Endorsement of Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou 

8/22/22

Dear Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief, the Forward.

CC: Jacob Kornbluh, Reporter, the Forward.

RE: Author who alleged Israel was behind the 9/11 attacks endorses candidate in Brooklyn House race – The Forward

Dear Jodi,

Thanks for taking the time to write me. I took a over week to reflect on this article, above. I hope you will find my response thoughtful.

This whole experience reaffirms my commitment that gutsy, independent thinkers, progressives and liberals, democratic and spiritual socialists, should rally behind and elect Yuh-Line Niou to the US Congress in CD 10.

Niou is a lifelong anti-poverty activist. She wants a Green New Deal, and has strong ties in wide swaths of the community in CD 10. Her core values are the core values of the Prophets: to care for the orphan, the widow, and the strangers in our midst.

The recent New York Times endorsement of Dan Goldman violates the Times’s own prohibition against nominating self-funded millionaire candidates. It used to be a commonly held belief: You shouldn’t be able to buy a seat in Congress. Goldman has family connections to Times publisher AG Sulzberger, and a recent article in the Intercept indicates that back room pressure tipped the scales towards Goldman.

When I endorsed Niou, almost two weeks ago, there was this strange little story in the Forward that sought to use my past efforts as a researcher and writer against me. I have waited to respond to that until now. In the interim, the “powers-that-be” have consolidated around a moderate, corporate Democrat, Dan Goldman. So it’s even more urgent that working people of District 10 see they have a clear viable winner, in Yuh-Line Niou.

One thing that didn’t work for me, in the Forward article, is that that quote from Yuh-Line Niou (from herself or her campaign). It seems to imply a possible belief that I have engaged in Anti-Semitism. I equate Anti-Semtism with racism and fascism, and I have already spent a lifetime confronting these. I can empathize with the Assemblymember, it must have been a stressful situation, to be confronted with these questions.

The response to this article could divide two progressives inside the NY Democratic Party who stand for BDS. But I don’t see that as necessary. 

During this campaign, Yuh-Line Niou took a courageous stand for BDS, on both free speech as well as humanitarian grounds. The growing strength of the BDS movement is not a sign of anti-Semitism, but a hunger for change in the Israeli policy against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. It’s through dialogue and negotiation with each other that we will eventually find a better way for all people to live in Palestine/Israel. 

I know that it’s hard to figure why some activists like us stand for BDS. Do we take this stand out of hate or love? I, for one, wish for peace in the Middle East. I feel we owe it to God to try to do the impossible, and declare it possible. It will take a lot of work, and a lot of compromise, and incredible strength of character to get there. The path forward is a kind of spiritual/political path of intense, Gandhi-level peace-making. Gandhi advised us to use spiritual tools, as well as the political. It’s not a capitalist, market-based path forward. It’s not a military path forward, those have been a dead end. Just look around. In a world addicted to violence, we need a higher power. That is what I want for the Middle East. It is what I wish for the world.

I was recently re-elected to serve as part of the Democratic Party County Committee. I am also active in DSA, and the Rep Your Block movement to revitalize the Brooklyn Democratic Party. 

(BTW, I feel good about my own past work against Neo-Fascism. In 2002, I worked with the ADL and peace groups to bring activists to DC to confront a neo-Nazi group, on Capitol Hill. I confronted the author Christopher Bollyn about his anti-Semitic statements in an early draft of his book. More recently, I have hosted two conferences on non-violence (www.nonviolence.works). We brought together Israeli and Iranian activists.)

Right-wing Christian lawmakers in this country have sought to tie a commitment to an anti-BDS position as a requirement for contracting with the State of Texas and other states. This is a restriction of freedom of speech.

Before I wrap up, allow me to address your allegations about me being a “conspiracy theorist,” particularly as it relates to Israel and 9/11. The reason that Israel keeps coming up regarding 9/11, is that five Israelis were arrested on 9/11 in NJ. ABC News reported on it, here. The Forward’s own reporting on this story is excellent and it is here. I commend you for it. I would recommend you review the new ground your own reporting broke on the Israeli intelligence agents arrested on 9/11, rather than imply that I am an anti-Semite based on a quick scan of the Table of Contents of my last book.

I am still trying to make sense of 9/11. Israeli and Saudi Arabian figures were clearly involved, but forces deep inside the US ruling class seemed to control the “19 hijackers.” They pulled the strings, (and they pulled WTC Building 7.) I say that, not to use these unpopular facts as a weapon of hate. But to find a way to show that the tools of war, deception and propaganda are a part of a dead paradigm. 

We are capable of a new paradigm: interfaith understanding, respect for all peoples, democracy and peace in the Middle East and in the USA. I hope to be a part of the changes that are needed.

Sander Hicks
Peace activist
www.Nonviolence.works

Elected Representative
ED 9, AD 51
Kings County Democratic Party County Committee

PS—

If anyone needs it, this is background on me - a short political bio, and a few more words on original investigations of 9/11 I have done.

From 1999-2001 I was the publisher of Fortunate Son, the controversial biography of George W. Bush (Soft Skull Press.) After 2001, I became the only New Yorker who wrote two books of investigative journalism about 9/11. I confronted Rudy Giuliani, Dick Cheney, and 9/11 Commission Member Richard Ben-Veniste. I was shocked at the narrow confines of the 9/11 Commission, (and later, mainstream books, such as Phil Shenon’s “The Commission” came to agree with my analysis.)

I travelled and researched the murder of a 9/11 whistle-blower in Louisiana. Dr. David Graham was a decorated military veteran, and a scientist. I was awarded a commendation for this by the Louisiana State Senate. Graham was killed, I believe, because of his work showing that two of the 9/11 terrorists had close relationships with the USA’s Barksdale Air Force Base. 

In 2018, I ran for US Congress. Lately I am proudest of the two successful political campaigns that I was a part of: Alexa Aviles for City Council and Marcela Mitaynes for NY State Assembly. 

NIOU FOR CONGRESS

Text of our original endorsement is below:

I met Yuh-line Niou in person last month. She came to a picnic in Red Hook, run by the local Democratic Party County Committee, AD 51 group. Meeting her was like getting hit with a bolt sunshine after months of dark clouds. What incredible energy, drive, and charisma. This is the kind of person who can create coalitions, and get stuff done. 

As a political progressive, she brings a record of accomplishment. She is already an elected NY State Assemblymember, where she locked horns with Governor Cuomo, and sponsored and passed 15 pieces progressive legislation around sexual harassment. Her support for environmental justice became legendary in Albany. Her nickname became the “Green Niou Deal.” She is endorsed by Working Families Party, and our local NY State Assemblymember Mitaynes, who worked with her in Albany.

I invite you to check her out, and decide for yourself. 

And I think what is best, for you, and for the people, is for you to vote for Yuh-Line Niou for US Congress. 

There’s also early voting coming up. Aug 13-21. The Primary is August 23.

MORE BACKGROUND INFO on the LOCAL RACE for CD-10:

Recent Poll: Rivera and Niou in Top Slots.

A new poll of the 10th Congressional District from progressive firm Data for Progress has New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera leading the Democratic primary field with 17% of likely voters’ support. Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou was second with 14% and former House impeachment counsel Dan Goldman close behind with 12%, while former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was in seventh place, with 5%. Some 27% of those polled said they were not sure who they would vote for in the Aug. 23 primary.

Today, on page A13 of the front section of the Times, there’s a largely positive story.

I like the Times, but it’s fun to point out its bias.

It was a good article, mostly focussing on the two front-runners, in the race, City Council Rep. Carolina Rivera, and Yuh-line Niou.

But the photos they ran of Rivera were so much more complimentary. And there was a swipe at Niou’s position on BDS - which made the false assumption that therefore many Jewish people in the District will not vote for her. However, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice has endorsed Niou. 

(The NY Times always takes a centrist stand in favor of Israel, but who will stake a sensible, rational stand for the Palestinian people? When will we stop supporting the Israeli occupation and expansion into the West Bank? BDS can be painted as a “far left” position, and it could just as easily be said to be the “centrist position on Palestinian Rights.” If you care about democracy and peace in the Middle East, you support a change in US policy towards Israel, less blind faith and more of a critical push to bring both sides back to the peace process.)

Rivera: BLASTED for Being Cozy with Real Estate Money, and Flubbing it on Razing of East River Park

The real blood in the water is in the “Reader’s Picks” Comments section of the Times around this article above. Of the 52 top comments, about 75% were vehemently anti-Rivera, for being too close to NYC Real Estate interests. The communities in the Lower East Side felt she betrayed them with her support of the destruction of East River Park. Of all 52 comments, there is not one single positive comment in support of Rivera. Many support Niou, however.

It’s worth noting that Rivera really flubbed it in terms of civil rights for gay people. She said she supported a carve-out for businesses to ignore gay rights, based on “religious exemption.” She walked it back, but it shows a lack of core values. We don’t want any more centrists in office. We have a chance to send a real progressive to US Congress here. Let’s all Vote Yuh-line Niou.

Dan Goldman is interesting for his impeachment work against Trump. And he clearly has a ton of money, he has mailed me five big mailers. But up until a couple days ago, he had major investments with gun makers, and Fox News. #Clueless? I just don't see a rich, white male lawyer winning this race. I don’t think working people will identify with him. I don’t think his class interests are the same as ours. Especially in the South Brooklyn districts that recently elected Democratic Socialists like Marcela Mitaynes and Alexa Aviles. 

From Ballotpedia Regarding our Local Congressional Race:

Twelve candidates are running in New York's 10th Congressional District Democratic primary on August 23, 2022. Candidates receiving significant media attention are U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones, who was elected in 2020 to represent the 17th District and is running in the 10th after redistricting; prosecutor Daniel Goldman; former U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman; state Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou; New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera; and state Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon.[3][4][5] Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio withdrew from the race on July 19.[6]

As of August 1, 2022, noteworthy endorsements in the race included: two U.S. Senators and six U.S. House members endorsed Jones, New York State Assembly Member Robert C. Carroll (D) endorsed Goldman, feminist activist Gloria Steinem endorsed Holtzman, Parent Leaders for Accelerated Curriculum & Education endorsed Maron, New York State Senator Julia Salazar (D) and three New York State Assembly members endorsed Niou, two U.S. House members endorsed Rivera, and State Sen. Roxanne Persaud and five New York State Assembly members endorsed Simon.[7] To see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available, click here.

The New York Times wrote that the redrawn 10th District includes "some of New York’s most politically engaged and diverse neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Chinatown, Park Slope, Sunset Park and even parts of Borough Park, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish stronghold." The Times called the primary "a contest not so much of ideas — almost every major candidate has condemned threats to abortion rights and bemoaned the lack of strict limits on guns — as of brute force, blunt ambition and identity politics."[3]