President of Black Lives Matter – Brooklyn Running For City Council in Marine Park & Midwood

Disabled U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Community Advocate, Anthony Beckford, announced his intentions to again run for the 45th New York City Council seat in 2021. He is also the President of Black Lives Matter in Brooklyn.

The 45th Council District seat which includes the communities of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands and Kensington, was previously held by Jumaane Williams, who is now the Public Advocate of New York City. 

Beckford is a Single Father, son of Jamaican Immigrants, Advocate, Organizer, Veteran, Mentor and Human Rights Activist. He is a graduate of Midwood High School and is currently taking online classes through SNHU to obtain his Bachelors Degree in Psychology – Mental Health.  

Anthony Beckford has long been an activist on issues such as Workers’ Rights, Women’s Reproductive Rights, Ending Gun Violence, Stopping Hate Crimes, Immigration Rights, Tenant and Homeowner Rights as well as Equity in Education, Jobs and Healthcare.

Beckford previously ran for the seat in the 2019 special election, but did not gain ballot access. Beckford who is a Democrat, jumped back into the race to run in the general election without being on an official party line, so he had to create his own and was able to secure 4.81% of the votes.

The issues that he has made his priority for his race are Housing, Education, Small Businesses, Criminal Justice Reform and Climate Justice. He has sworn to not accept Corporate or Super PAC donations for his campaign. 

Beckford is a member of New York Progressive Alliance Network, Democratic Socialists of America, New Kings Democrats, Jews for Racial and Economical Justice, Central Brooklyn Progressive Action Alliance, Muslim Democratic Club of New York, Working Families Party, Brooklyn Progressive Alliance and many other progressive organizations throughout New York and around the country. He is also the President/Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Brooklyn and the President of the Brooklyn Chapter of Copwatch Patrol Unit.

“My campaign is a grassroots, people powered movement. I am anti-establishment, which means that I stand against greed and corruption. I am on the front lines every day, advocating for Our Families, Children, Seniors, Tenants, Homeowners and Small Business Owners. There are many issues that we as New Yorkers are facing. It is not only the Trump administration that is our problem, but also corporate controlled democrats who put corporate and real estate interests before the needs of the people.  This is why I am choosing to run.

“It is time for their to be true representation in the 45th District that is focused on the issues and will provide solutions instead of giving lip service and abandoning many of our underserved community members. It is time for us to vote out fake democrats who are truly conservatives that do not have our best interest as a priority.

“The work that I will do while in office and the progressive legislations that I am ready to introduce in my first 60 days in office, will benefit the whole of New York City. I will work to put an end to the housing crisis and protect both Tenants and Homeowners with my ‘Housing Justice Initiatives,’ end gun and gang violence with my ‘Save Our Youth’ Initiative, push for the passing of the ‘Small Business and Jobs Survival Act’ so that we can save our Small Businesses, bring Equity and Funding to our Schools and so much more.

“I will not be alone with this work. I will work with my soon to be fellow city legislators, our state and federal legislators, with Community Leaders, Clergy, Non-Profit and Grassroots Organizations and Community Members to move our city and state forward for the people. It’s Our Time to bring about change, because together we can make a difference.”