If elected, Samelys would become the first member of Congress to have lived in New York’s shelter system
New York, New York–Citizen Action of New York announced its endorsement of Democratic candidate Samelys López for Congress in New York’s 15th Congressional District in the Bronx. Citizen Action cites her commitment to fighting for affordable housing and health care for all as key reasons for its endorsement.
Samelys is a grassroots community organizer and activist with the Housing Justice For All statewide coalition. A life-long district resident, Samelys has extensive experience in achieving safe and affordable housing in low-income communities, and earned a Masters in Urban Planning with a focus on Housing and Community Development from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.
“Our movement is honored to receive the Citizen Action Of New York endorsement. We are thrilled to have them in our coalition. One, focused directly on reclaiming our collective power in the South Bronx. A coalition, fortified by the foundation of social, racial, economic and environmental justice for our communities,” said Samelys López, a Congressional candidate for N.Y.-15. “And we are going to reach out to community members, and we won’t stop organizing until we reclaim our dignity. This means one out of every five homeless students in the South Bronx will have a roof over their head. It means we abolish cash bail and the school to prison pipeline. It means we give everyone healthcare and a good paying job.”
“I believe that Samelys is dedicated to serving her community because she is from this community. She listens to and responds to the needs of her community,” said Tanairi Taylor, Citizen Action member and Bronx resident. “I can sincerely trust that she will embody the South Bronx legacy of community organizing and ensure that the necessary issues of housing and healthcare —to name a few—are represented at the national scale.”
“Samelys Lopez embodies Bronx values: loyalty, resilience, and absolute determination. She doesn’t shy away from what is difficult, she runs toward it,” said Cynthia, Citizen Action member and Bronx resident. “Growing up here, she also understands the level of systemic neglect we face, and is committed to undoing it.”
Citizen Action of New York is a grassroots organization with eight regional chapters and over 30,000 members across New York State. The organization works on issues important to our communities, including limiting the influence of money in politics, guaranteeing livable wages and economy-boosting jobs, strong public schools, ending mass incarceration, and more. Citizen Action endorses candidates for public office who support the same vision for a New York that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.