The woman behind a policy change that allows people in New York City to commit crimes such as public urination and drinking in public without being arrested is a Hillary Clinton supporter who has appeared with her at official campaign events.
New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito served as author and lead cheerleader for legislation that eases enforcement of so-called “quality-of-life offenses.” The policy change was officially implemented this week.
Mark-Viverito announced her endorsement of Clinton in September and stated her hope that she could play an “important role” to help her campaign reach Latinos in 2016. Mark-Viverito, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, published her endorsement in Spanish.
Just last week, Mark-Viverito was invited to deliver a speech at Clinton’s rally at New York City’s Jacob Javits Center.
Mark-Viverito came on stage at the end of the rally and “Mrs. Clinton grabbed Ms. Mark-Viverito close,” according to an account by the New York Times. Here’s video of the embrace captured by a local reporter:
Mark-Viverito expressed hopes to the New York Daily News this week that a Clinton victory in 2016 could lead to a job for her in the White House.
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