QUEENS, NY – Humanity Forward, the advocacy organization launched by former Presidential contender Andrew Yang, on May 14 named Queens Borough President candidate Costa Constantinides among its first round of endorsements to lead New York City to a stronger, fairer future. 

“Costa caught my attention when he became the first councilperson in New York to call for a Universal Basic Income in response to the coronavirus pandemic,” said Andrew Yang, Founder of Humanity Forward. “He's also running on a forward thinking climate change platform. Costa knows first hand the toll coronavirus is taking on our communities, as he and his family are still recovering from a nasty case of COVID-19. Very excited to be supporting him.”  

"I am honored to be among the first candidates endorsed by Humanity Forward, which has already done tremendous work to improve New Yorkers' lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic," said Costa Constantinides, progressive Democrat for Queens Borough President. "Under Andrew Yang’s leadership, they have put cash into the hands of struggling families, proven that we should not cancel democracy, and sparked a national conversation on the need for a new economy. Together, I know we will continue to fight the climate crisis, create new green jobs, and foster an open government that works for everyone." 

Humanity Forward was launched to continue Andrew Yang’s fight for Universal Basic Income, a data-driven approach to government, and transparency. Already, it has helped countless families in the Bronx who have struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic. Humanity Forward's mission is to create a new, people-focused economy, combat climate change, and make sure every voice is heard. 

Yang and Constantinides have also called for an adaptive government that protects democracy’s integrity but also keeps people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Constantinides was an early voice in this pandemic for a vote-by-mail system — a version of which later took shape in New York State. Yang also made history by successfully suing to reinstate the Presidential primary in the Empire State after its cancellation.  

Both have also called on the government to put cash in the hands of people at risk of displacement by this crisis. Yang’s Presidential campaign was built around the idea of a Universal Basic Income of $1,000 per month for all Americans. Constantinides, at the outset of the COVID-19 crisis, called for a People’s Paycheck, which would have used unclaimed funds in the State of New York to help residents put out of work by this crisis. 

LIC Coalition, a progressive Long Island City-based organization dedicated to local government that transparently serves its communities, on May 13 endorsed Costa Constantinides as the leader that Queens needs to get back to work, build new hospitals, and fight the climate crisis. 

“LIC Coalition strongly endorses Costa Constantinides for Queens Borough President,” LIC Coalition members said in a joint statement. “We support Costa’s efforts to fight Climate Change and promote sustainability; his rejection of contributions from big real estate developers; and his commitments to public land for public use, to deeply affordable housing, and to building new hospitals in Queens so that we have the capacity we need and deserve. Costa will invest in a STEAM curriculum at our schools—including arts programming, solarization of all schools, and the addition of a STEM or hydroponic science lab in every school. And he will invest in desperately needed cutting edge green infrastructure throughout the borough so that Queens is at the forefront of sustainability and the growth of good paying green jobs. We believe Costa Constantinides is the best candidate to lead the fight for a more equitable and sustainable Queens.”

“I am humbled to have the support of the LIC Coalition, which fights every day for a fairer community,” said Costa Constantinides, progressive Democrat for Queens Borough President. “At a time when our neighborhoods deserve public land for public use — whether that’s hospitals, schools, or parks — they have answered the call to lead. Together, we can transform Queens to create a fairer, open borough.” 

LIC Coalition has led the effort to stop the irresponsible overdevelopment of luxury housing in western Queens. As pricey high rises have dotted the East River waterfront, Long Island City’s aging infrastructure has become exacerbated. Members of the LIC Coalition have fought for a more sustainable neighborhood, where the community gets a say in the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), sewage doesn’t pour into the East River, and it’s affordable to raise a family. 

As Borough President, Constantinides has promised to secure a state-of-the-art hospital for Queens, create 50,000 union green jobs, put a hydroponic science lab in every school, and solarize every City building in the borough that’s ready to support panels. LIC Coalition joins community organizations and leaders such as the South Asian American Voters Association as well as tenant leaders for the Astoria and Woodside Houses in supporting his grassroots movement. 

Costa Constantinides currently serves in the New York City Council, where he represents western Queens and chairs the Committee on Environmental Protection. His legislative accomplishments include the Climate Mobilization Act, a Green New Deal for New York City, as well as the historic 80% reduction by 2050 of carbon emissions commitment. Costa lives in his native Astoria with his wife and son.

For more information, visit:www.votecosta.com.