April 29th 2024.
It was a heartbreaking news that spread through the community - Derek Floyd, a 36-year-old former U.S. Marine and probationary fireman for the Fire Department of New York, had passed away on April 15. His death was a result of complications from a heart attack he suffered while on duty back in June 2019. This tragedy left behind his beloved wife, Christine, and their two young children, Ethan and Abigail, aged 6 and 2 respectively.
Friends of the family quickly set up a GoFundMe page to help Christine and her children with their expenses. They described Derek as a dedicated husband and father, and the fundraiser was a way for the community to show their support for the grieving family. As of now, the page has raised over $54,000, with a goal of reaching $90,000.
In addition to the fundraiser, the FDNY Foundation also established a probationary scholarship fund for Ethan and Abigail. They pledged to donate 100% of the funds to the Floyd family, in honor of Derek's service and sacrifice. However, amidst all the love and support, there were some who tried to politicize Derek's death.
Conservative outlets and social media accounts were quick to blame the City of New York for Derek's passing, claiming that he was a victim of the city's handling of the migrant crisis. A tweet from The Conservative Read on April 29, 2024, stated that Derek was "another American victim of Biden's open border." They also mentioned that he was fired as part of the city's attempt to make room for illegal migrants.
But the truth was far from that. In November, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a round of budget cuts, citing the city's financial struggles due to the migrant crisis. As a result, many positions in various agencies, including the FDNY, were eliminated. This included Derek's light duty position, as he was still recovering from his heart attack.
City Council Finance Chair, Justin Brannan, was one of the voices who criticized the extent of these budget cuts. He believed that a more targeted approach was needed, rather than reducing funding across the board. In a statement to Fox 5, he expressed his concerns, saying, "I think this is a moment that really calls for a thoughtful surgeon's blade, not these wholesale cuts across the board."
In December, Brannan and Adrienne E. Adams, the New York City Council Speaker, co-wrote an op-ed for AMNY, where they strongly criticized Mayor Adams' decisions and justifications for the budget cuts. They argued that the city's financial struggles were not solely caused by the influx of asylum seekers, but also by other factors such as the end of federal COVID-19 stimulus funds and a stagnant economy.
The pair concluded their piece by stating that instead of making broad cuts to all agencies, the city should prioritize its investments, cut wasteful spending, and find ways to generate revenue. They believed that with clear and strategic actions, New Yorkers could overcome these challenges and ensure that no one falls through the cracks. This was a time for difficult decisions, but with unity and determination, the city could prevail.
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