Bronx, NY — Ritchie Torres has been a staunch ally of the genocidal state of Israel his entire political career, even as the crises of capitalism surge unabated within his own district. Andre Easton, running against Torres in New York's 15th this November, released the following statement on September 4th.

“Ritchie Torres has recieved more than $2 million from the pro-Israel lobby. It's no surprise that he was one of 33 Democrats to vote for a Republican-backed bill blocking federal funding from universities that divest from Israel's genocide.

“I'm on the ballot against Ritchie Torres in November. I've taught high school English in the South Bronx for 12 years, so I know that our students need leaders who will fight to make higher education free and universal—not politicians who will punish the universities brave enough to stand against genocide.

“The Bronx is crying out for more funding for our schools at every level, not less. Nearly one in six Bronx students is homeless—the highest rate of any borough in the city. Our borough also has the lowest high school graduation rate in New York City. Meanwhile, just 5% of the money that funds our public schools comes from the federal government.

“Ritchie Torres has done nothing to reverse the education crisis in the Bronx. He's been too busy standing with Republicans in support of an active genocide. Torres is a symptom of a much larger problem. Torres belongs to a political establishment that has cleared the way for our tax dollars to fund Israel's genocide against the Palestinian people—instead of funding our needs here at home.

“Tens of thousands of Palestinian men, women, and children are dead, paid for with billions that could have fully funded our public schools and made higher education free and accessible to all. These politicians, and their billionaire, pro-Israel donors, stand between us and what we need to live full, dignified lives.

“I'm running for Congress in NY-15 because the Bronx needs leaders who will fight to end all U.S. aid to Israel. The Bronx needs leaders who will defend the rights of students to protest genocide. The Bronx needs leaders who will put our tax dollars back into our own communities. Join our campaign for fully funded education, housing, and healthcare in the Bronx and beyond https://andreforthebronx.nyc/volunteer”