For years, this city has worked against one of its most important contributors to the local cultural and capital economy: New York’s nightlife, and subsequently, its artist community. There hasn’t been a single reason for us not to match the caliber of nightlife and DIY-space regulation that other European cities have successfully put into place, so the community and I decided to get moving.

In 2017, we made history. Working with artists, businesses and local communities, I was able to repeal the antiquated “No Dancing” Cabaret Law and create the supportive Office of Nightlife and the Night Mayor, following in the successful footsteps of global cities such as Amsterdam and Berlin.

This is an incredibly groundbreaking step forward, however, our work isn’t yet done. Important New York City venues are still under attack by real-estate entities and continued enforcement that’s attracted by poor city-planning. Patrons also need to feel safe when they go out. It is also important to understand that our nightlife can not be successful if we do not have appropriate measures in place to protect the quality of life of our communities. Not everyone is a night owl and their peace and quiet deserves to be respected. So we have to:

• Support SBJSA (Small Business Jobs Survival Act) and commercial rent control to protect venues from rising rent and real-estate costs when renewing their leases  

• Pass "Agent of Change” legislation that requires new construction to install sound-proofing to reduce quality of life issues in our communities

• Create Policy that will protect service workers and performing artists from wage theft

• Push the Office of Nightlife to assign an advocate that will focus on legalizing DIY spaces

• Expand zoning so that more venues can completely, legally allow performances and dancing

• Protect patrons through legislation that trains venue staff members how to spot and deescalate sexual harassment

• Require establishments to have a complaint hotline to provide residents direct access to general managers

• Have full oversight over the MARCH Taskforce