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Democrats set convention date for July 2016

Adams: 'Brooklyn's story is the story that the Democratic Party wants to embody'

January 23, 2015 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has set July 25, 2016 as the date of the upcoming Democratic Convention. Brooklyn is one of three finalists. Photo by Mary Frost
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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has set July 25, 2016 as the date of the upcoming Democratic Convention.

The committee is still in final contract negotiations to choose a host city for the convention and will announce the decision in the coming weeks, according to the DNC.

New York City — with the convention headquartered at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center — is a finalist in a field that includes Philadelphia and Columbus, Ohio.

“This is the next step to finalize where and when we will nominate the 45th President of the United States, highlight the Democratic Party’s agenda of fighting for expanded opportunity and contrast it with the Republican Party’s commitment to the fortunate few,” Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DNC chairwoman, said in a statement.

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“We are still in discussions with three excellent cities and are looking forward to a diverse and inclusive convention that displays our party’s values,” she added.

“I believe the Democratic National Committee has an overabundance of reasons to pick Brooklyn as host of the 2016 convention, be they our logistical strength, fundraising capacity, or unmatched experience for delegates and visitors,” Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams told the Brooklyn Eagle. “Moreover, Brooklyn’s story is the story that the Democratic Party wants to embody, a story of diversity, renewal and hard work. When the curtain rises on the 2016 DNC at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn will be more than ready for the spotlight.”

Schultz is set to visit Columbus next week as part of the selection process, Bizjournals reports. She plans to visit Brooklyn and Philadelphia later in the week.

A delegation from the DNC toured Brooklyn and Barclays Center in August. During the visit, Brooklyn rolled out an actual blue carpet — plus a marching band, gift bags and a host of officials.

On Friday, roughly 60 (mostly) Brooklyn businesses and individuals sent a letter to the DNC urging them to pick Brooklyn as the site of the convention.

“Brooklyn has become one of the most welcoming, accepting and thriving communities anywhere in the country,” the letter reads in part. “We’re a perfect match!”

Signees included organizations like the 5th Avenue BID, cultural organizations including the Mark Morris Dance Group, restaurants including Café Habana, hotels, tour and travel companies, and corporations like Time Warner Cable.

Some Barclays-area businesses have expressed concern about adverse effects on the local economy, however.

The Barclays Center Impact Zone Alliance wants Mayor de Blasio to appoint someone to coordinate government agencies, Greenland Forest City, the local community boards and elected officials to minimize disruption, Brownstoner reports.


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