Donde Están Mis Amigos? Where Are My Friends?

By Sheikh Musa Drammeh

Thursday, February 14, 2019- Bronx, New York –A day after his colleagues in the New York City Council rules committee have voted 11-0 to dissolve the For-Hire vehicles Committee he chaired followed by 45-1 with 4 absentees of the full council vote, Councilman Reverend Ruben Diaz, Sr. showed no sign of backing down from his long held and consistent position.

A throng of his supporters and constituents showed up in front of his District office this morning to cheer him and recommit their loyalty. During the hour long statement before hundreds of jubilant supporters and an army of hungry media reporters, Rev. Diaz asked “Donde Estan Mis Amigos? Referring to his political colleagues in the city and state. Obviously none was around. Reverend Diaz lamented about the many favors his colleagues have sought from him when they needed him and would not dare to stand by him in these trying times.

While the overwhelming majority of those attended the rally today were Hispanic, a large contingency of his diverse Muslim constituents were also present to show their allegiance. The reality is that most of his religious constituents shares his concern regarding abortion, LGBTQ and same sex marriage. His real test is not what his angry colleagues in City Hall can do, but his broader constituents on his upcoming reelection fight. Unlike other elected officials who act according to popular views, Councilman Diaz has been very consistent with his positions on issues he deemed contrary to his religious beliefs.

Councilman Reverend Ruben Diaz (El Vaquero De Bayamon) will weather the storm just as he’s done many times during his long public service life. But in the next days and weeks to come, only God knows how things will pan out between him and those he says are in control of the City Council.

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