h. nazan ışık—

27 July 2015—

“IDNYC is a pocket-sized expression of a hugely powerful message – this is a city for everyone, for residents of all five New York City boroughs regardless, immigration status or economic status” said Mayor Bill de Blasio, and continued, “That’s the reason, in six months, just six months, we are please to announce that over 400.000 residents now have an IDNYC in their hands. And they are proud to show it off.”

And he took his card from his pocket to show, and the others joined him.

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Mayor de Blasio, holding his IDNYC card.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito were happy to announce the card- holder numbers, after six mounts of the program’s launch, on Monday at a press conference held at the American Museum of Natural History.

Mayor de Blasio said, “Modern society so much depends on having an ID. You can’t enter government buildings, schools without an ID, you can’t open a bank account, you can’t sign a lease. IDNYC is not only a card for all New Yorkers, it is the gateway to City services, the key to opening a bank account or getting a library card, and the ticket to many of our city’s finest cultural institutions.”

Mayor de Blasio encouraged every New Yorker —regardless of gender identity, immigration status or economic status—to apply for an IDNYC card,”they will not be asked for their documentation status, all people live in five boroughs are welcome to get this ID.” And he added, “ By the way, the NYPD understands it, respect it. If you have it, they also don’t ask for your documentation status”

A young woman came to the microphone, and talked about her good experiences as an IDNYC card holder. She spoke in Spanish; City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito translated.

In addition, more than 30,000 memberships have been redeemed at museums and other cultural organizations in all five boroughs since the program’s launch. The Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) offers holders with one-year free access to 33 world-class museums, performing arts centers, libraries, concert halls, botanical gardens, and zoos in all five boroughs.

“Twenty other major cities, including Chicago, have similar programs.” Mayor de Blasio said.

The IDNYC program, launched in January 2015, is now the largest municipal ID program in the country.

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Photo © h. nazan ışık