“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it”-Ronald Reagan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
March 25, 2022
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Federal Investigation of Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin
Brooklyn, NY – “The Conservative Party and the GOP are running a candidate for Lt. Governor who until just a few weeks ago was making arrests. Governor Hochul’s Lt. Governor, Brian Benjamin, may soon be under arrest for illegal grants. Need we say more?
“The Conservative Party calls on Mrs. Hochul and Mr. Benjamin to explain what this is all about. New Yorkers deserve to know.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
March 15, 2022
Brooklyn, NY – “There was a time when New York State cared about police officers and their families. Not any more, and that’s unacceptable.
“Today we learned that SUNY Brockport will be hosting New York City cop killer Anthony Bottom, aka Jalil Muntaqim, at an upcoming ‘Diversity Conference.’ His inclusion in the forum is an insult to African-Americans, who are not represented by Marxist assassins, the state university system, and all who remember Patrolmen Waverly M. Jones and Joseph A. Piagentini who were targeted as police officers and mercilessly gunned down by Mr. Bottom and others.
“Those who invited this stone-cold killer to speak — a man who was given a strict life sentence only to be paroled by former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Parole Board — should spend more time familiarizing themselves with the victims rather than the killers. Below, for their edification, is a New York Times brief written just after the slayings. They should read it.”
###
New York Times
May 23, 1971
The two patrolmen who were killed Friday night in Harlem were family men who joined the police force the same August day nearly five years ago after graduating together from the Police Academy.
Patrolman Joseph A. Piagentini was born July 13, 1942, and lived in Deer Park, L. I., with his wife and two children. He was a check sorter before he joined the force, and had spent his entire police career in the 32nd Precinct. He was a member of the Army Reserve.
According to fellow patrol men at the West 135th Street station, Patrolman Piagentini’s hobby was breeding German shepherd dogs. “He was very easy going,” said a friend. “If you saw him off duty you wouldn’t take him for a cop.”
Air Force Veteran
Like Patrolman Piagentini, Waverly M. Jones joined the department Aug. 1, 1966. A former paper cutter, he was born Oct. 14, 1937, and served for almost four years in the Air Force.
Patrolman Jones lived in the Bronx with his wife and three children. He came to the 32nd Precinct last August after tours in the 40th and 46th Precincts in the Bronx.
Although he was not well known in the 135th Street station, Patrolman Jones was well liked. “He was easy to get. along with,” said one patrolman, adding that Patrolman Jones tended to keep to himself.
The two dead men had been patrolling one sector of the precinct Friday night in their radio car when a call came asking for police assistance at the Colonial Park Houses. The housing project is in another sector, but the two men were asked to respond to it because the car regularly assigned to the sector that includes the project was busy. It was while answering that call that they were shot.
Funeral services for Patrolman Piagentini will he Wednesday at 11 A.M. in St. Cyril and St. Methodius Roman Catholic Church in Deer Park. Services for Patrolman Jones are to be held Tuesday at 11 A.M. in Trinity Methodist Church at Washington Avenue and East 166th Street in the Bronx.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
March 8, 2022
“There are no words to describe Senators Rachel May’s and Robert Jackson’s use of World Trade Center imagery as a cheap political stunt in Albany. Perhaps they’ve forgotten that nearly 3,000 New Yorkers died in those towers at the hands of Islamic terrorists. The Conservative Party has not and will never forget those whose lives were taken, and we call upon Senate Democrat leaders to condemn this outrageous display. What in Hell were May and Jackson thinking?”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117 Bill@NovemberTeam.com
March 2, 2022
Brooklyn, NY – “The Conservative Party was pleased to see a bipartisan spirit of cooperation Tuesday over Russia’s vicious and illegal invasion of democratic Ukraine. We urge President Biden and Congress to redouble U.S. efforts to cripple Russia’s already faltering economy and to provide brave Ukraine with the lethal weaponry needed to defend itself.
“We were anything but pleased, though, with President Biden’s domestic agenda that subscribes to the failed and magical liberal philosophy that the more government spends the more it saves. That’s how you drive an economy into the ground.
“What’s needed is a long-term plan to stop the government overspending driving the most rapid inflation growth in 40 years. Americans once reached for the moon. Now, they reach ever more deeply into their pockets just to pay the interest on U.S. debt. That’s not a sustainable practice, and, until proper fiscal stewardship enters Washington’s vernacular, our woes at the supermarket and gas pump will go on.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shaun Marie
518-356-7882
cpnys.org @cpnys
New York – Feb. 26…The New York State Conservative Party today announced its official slate of statewide candidates for 2022. The candidates were formally selected on Saturday at the Party’s annual candidate convention held at the Westchester Manor in Hastings-On-Hudson, NY. They are:
“The Conservative Party is proud to put forward a superb slate of candidates for statewide offices,” said New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “We had a broad group of candidates requesting our party line, and after extensive deliberations we chose the most qualified and electable candidates who came before us. New York State is in desperate need of reform — ethically, economically, and in public safety policy — and these candidates have what it takes to get the job done. New York voters deserve a lot better than they’re getting from a one-party rule in Albany and a Democrat-led U.S. Senate, and we are confident that these candidates will deliver for them.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
February 24, 2022
Brooklyn, NY “Vladamir Putin’s Russia revealed itself as a pariah state this morning as it launched an unprovoked invasion of democratic Ukraine.
“The New York State Conservative Party urges that President Biden and other world leaders impose the most severe sanctions possible on Mr. Putin’s regime.
“Ukraine is a free and independent nation that escaped the grasp of Marxism a generation ago. It must not be lost to totalitarianism again.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shaun Marie
518-356-7882
cpnys.org @cpnys
February 22, 2022
Brooklyn, NY – “Harry Wilson’s support for radical Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg makes him ineligible for serious consideration by Conservative and Republican voters. Mr. Wilson claims, hypothetically, that he’d remove an Alvin Bragg as governor, but his actions speak louder than words. By giving Mr. Bragg a $1,000 donation, he effectively endorsed him for office, an extraordinary lapse in judgment.
“Mr. Wilson’s decision to enter this race just days before the Conservative and Republican Party conventions — after remaining politically dormant for the past 12 years — also strikes us as more destructive than constructive. Where has he been all these years?
“The Conservative Party reiterates its firm support for Congressman Lee Zeldin for governor. Congressman Zeldin has the background, knowledge, and understanding of issues needed to make a great leader of our state. He is a proud combat veteran with a work ethic like no other candidate. Congressman Zeldin will make an outstanding Conservative Party nominee, and an even more outstanding governor.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117 Bill@NovemberTeam.com
February 15, 2022
Brooklyn, NY – “Christina Yuna Lee was an accomplished and beautiful young woman in the prime of her life. Her brutal and senseless murder, allegedly at the hands of a man who should have been in jail at the time — not on cashless bail — is an infuriating example of just how far New York has fallen because of Albany and City Hall criminal justice policy blunders. How many more neighbors will we lose before no-cash-bail is repealed and Broken-window policing is restored? How much more evidence do we need that these progressive, soft-on-crime experiments aren’t working?
“Ms. Lee’s murder should shake this city to its core because it shows just how vulnerable we all are when chaos is allowed to rule the streets. But more than that, it demands the return of common-sense policing in New York.
“The Conservative Party mourns the loss of Ms. Lee, and prays that her family finds peace again one day. We will not forget her, nor will we forget the policy that kept her alleged assailant on the street when he should have been in jail.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
February 1, 2022
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Democratic Gerrymandering in New York
Brooklyn, NY – “The proposed State Senate and Assembly district lines make clear that New York Democrats are terrified of political competition, just as the proposed congressional lines show how desperate Nancy Pelosi is to hold onto power.
“New York Democrats are so afraid of a healthy exchange of ideas that they altered longterm election norms last year to get rid of as many third parties as possible. Then they worked to change voting laws weeks after New Yorkers overwhelmingly rejected those same proposed changes at the ballot box. Now, they foolishly think they can kill off the Republican and Conservative parties with the most blatant gerrymandering this state has ever seen.
“Some of these district lines are downright comical in their configurations; Democrats should be embarrassed to put them forward. But the careful observer sees what they truly are: a profound statement of political weakness. A party confident in its performance, ideas, and convictions doesn’t need to resort to subterfuge. It welcomes open debate. New York Democrats are just the opposite. They’re circling the wagons, and for good reason. New Yorkers are quickly getting to know what one-party rule feels like.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
SEN. GALLIVAN, ASSEMBLYMAN LAWLER, CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN KASSAR, CALL FOR LIFE-WITHOUT-PAROLE PRISON SENTENCES FOR NEW YORK COP KILLERS;
Urge Gov. Hochul to Remove Manhattan D.A. Bragg from Office
Latham, NY-Jan. 31…New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, and Assemblyman Michael Lawler today called for passage of legislation (A. 8682) that would impose mandatory life-without-parole prison sentences for the first- or second-degree murder of police officers or other New York first responders. Senator Gallivan and Assemblyman Lawler are prime sponsors of the measure in their respective houses. The announcement was made during the Conservative Party’s 54th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC) held in Latham, NY.
“As a former State Trooper and Sheriff of Erie County, I know first-hand how law enforcement officers and other first responders risk their lives to protect our communities,” Senator Gallivan said. “An attack on these brave men and women represents an attack on the community at large and our rule of law and order. Any individual who is convicted of murdering a police officer, peace officer, corrections officer or first responder must be held accountable and should never be eligible for parole.”
“As a society, we must stand up for those who serve and protect our communities every day,” Assemblyman Lawler said. “In recent years, too many cop-killers have been released on parole without a second thought for the victims and their families. Assembly Bill A 8682 would ensure that anyone who is convicted in the death of a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, or first responder would receive a mandatory sentence of life without parole. In the wake of the horrific killing of Officers Rivera and Mora, we must pass this bill without delay. Anything less is a signal to criminals across our state that it’s open season on law enforcement.”
“New York Democrats have made major criminal justice errors over the past few years, and New Yorkers and law enforcement officers working to keep them safe are paying dearly for it,” Chairman Kassar said. “The Conservative Party strongly supports this life-without-parole legislation, just as we urge reversal of the no-cash-bail law that sparked the ongoing statewide crime wave.”
Chairman Kassar also highlighted at the news conference an active petition signed by nearly 2,000 New Yorkers to date, calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to immediately remove Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg from office. The controversial D.A. announced earlier this month that his office would no longer pursue prison sentences for a host of serious crimes.
“Gov. Hochul needs to make a choice between public safety and runaway progressivism; there is no in-between,” Chairman Kassar said. “When a district attorney refuses to prosecute serious crimes, he must not remain in office. We call on Gov. Hochul to stand on the side of public safety by dismissing Mr. Bragg from his position this week. There isn’t a moment to waste.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 18, 2022
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Governor Hochul’s 2022-23 State Budget Proposal
Brooklyn, NY – “More than 200 nations around the world have budgets smaller than the $216 billion state budget behemoth Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed today. Her budget is more than those of Texas and Florida combined — each state with significantly higher populations than ours. New York is narrowly competing only with California, a state with twice our population, for the most expensive state government in America. The Hochul budget is almost half the size of Russia’s — Russia’s!
“Meanwhile, the moving trucks keep arriving. Boy, do we need a change of direction in Albany.”
CONSERVATIVE PARTY PETITION CALLS ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO REMOVE MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY ALVIN BRAGG
“If Governor Hochul allows Mr. Bragg to remain district attorney, she’ll be signing the death warrant of an untold number of New Yorkers. Firing him could be the most important act she makes as governor of this state.”
Brooklyn, NY – Jan. 14, 2022 The New York State Conservative Party today released an online petition calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to remove newly elected New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg from office, which she has the power to do. D.A. Bragg recently announced that he would not seek prison sentences for dozens of serious crimes, sparking immediate public outrage.
Governor Hochul has failed to take any action thus far about Mr. Bragg’s refusal to properly enforce the law.
“The Conservative Party is the party of common sense in New York, and common sense is needed more than ever in this case,” said Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “We have a renegade district attorney on our hands, and he must be removed from office. We urge New Yorkers to sign our petition to Governor Hochul, because — guaranteed — people are going to die because of Mr. Bragg’s wild ideological policy decision.”
In his first memo to staff on Monday, January 3rd, Mr. Bragg said his office “will not seek a carceral sentence” except with homicides and a handful of other cases, including domestic violence felonies, some sex crimes, and public corruption.
Bragg’s memo detailed the following instructions for prosecutors to reduce charges filed by cops in various cases:
Armed robbers who use guns or other deadly weapons to stick up stores and other businesses will be prosecuted only for petty larceny, a misdemeanor, provided no victims were seriously injured and there’s no “genuine risk of physical harm” to anyone. Armed robbery, a class B felony, would typically be punishable by a maximum of 25 years in prison, while petty larceny subjects offenders to up to 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Convicted criminals caught with weapons other than guns will have those felony charges downgraded to misdemeanors unless they’re also charged with more serious offenses. Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a class D felony, is punishable by up to 7 years behind bars.
Burglars who steal from residential storage areas, parts of homes that aren’t “accessible to a living area” and businesses located in mixed-use buildings will be prosecuted for a low-level class D felony that only covers break-ins instead of for more serious crimes. Those more serious crimes, class B and class C felonies would be punishable by up to 25 and up to 15 years in prison respectively.
Drug dealers believed to be “acting as a low-level agent of a seller” will be prosecuted only for misdemeanor possession. Also, suspected dealers will only be prosecuted on felony charges if they’re also accused of more serious crimes or are actually caught in the act of selling drugs. That felony would mean facing up to seven years behind bars.
Mr. Bragg continued: “ADAs should use their judgment and experience to evaluate the person arrested, and identify people: who suffer from mental illness; who are unhoused; who commit crimes of poverty; or who suffer from substance use disorders. Charges should be brought consistent with the goal of providing services to such individuals, and leverage during plea negotiations should not be a factor in this decision,” he wrote.
“If Governor Hochul allows Mr. Bragg to remain district attorney, she’ll be signing the death warrant of an untold number of New Yorkers. Firing him could be the most important act she makes as governor of this state,” Mr. Kassar said.
