.png;w=960;h=640;bgcolor=000000)
A fundraiser gala by the Brooklyn Democratic Party on Oct. 28 drew high-profile political figures and community leaders who gave rousing speeches about party unity and the importance of voting in the general election on Nov. 5.
The packed house focused on fundraising, but it was also a rally to keep Brooklyn and the state 'blue,' flip the U.S. House of Representatives to a Democratic majority and to push voters to support the Harris-Walz ticket.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Congressman and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and New York Attorney General Letitia James were among the elected officials who gave speeches at Giando on the Water in Williamsburg.
Hochul lambasted the racist remarks made by Republican candidate Donald Trump and comic Tony Hinchcliffe during the rally at Madison Square Garden over a week ago.
The governor said that the rally sullied the world's most famous arena, home to the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, telling the audience "they didn't talk about their vision for America, they spend their time and energy mocking America, insulting Americans."
Jeffries spoke about the dangers of a second Trump presidency.
"If Roe v. Wade can fall, then anything can fall,” he said. “Social Security can fall. Medicare can fall. Democracy itself, as we know it, can fall, so we need your help taking the House, holding the Senate, electing Senator [Kirsten] Gillibrand and making sure we have enlightened leadership at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”
Rocking a T-shirt with the image of political icon and Brooklyn trailblazer Shirley Chisholm’s face, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke told the audience that she had been traveling across the country, including to North Carolina, Ohio, Delaware and Pennsylvania.
"And I have to tell you that we can make the difference," she said, as she spoke to the importance of winning back the House.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James got right to the point in her brief yet passionate speech, while injecting some levity into the moment. She spoke directly about Proposition One and reproductive rights, asking "where the ladies at?" This was was followed by a rousing response, but when she asked "where are the men who love them," she jokingly remarked "It's about 10," based on the subdued reply from the men in the audience.
The night was serious fun as attendees danced to the sounds of the IET Band, with partygoers breaking into the Electric Slide as the event closed out.
