Around a hundred protestors rallied outside the New York State Republican Convention in Rye Brook Thursday to call out Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino for his positions on abortion rights, women’s issues, labor issues, and housing.
The protestors held signs, chanted, and marched outside of the Westchester Hilton while Astorino was nominated for governor and Chemung County Sheriff Christopher Moss for lieutenant governor. One organization with a strong presence at the rally was Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York (PPANY). Their identify themselves as advocates for women’s health and safety, and oppose any effort to restrict access to abortion services in New York and nationally.
Tracey Brooks, president and CEO of PPANY, told Westchester Magazine she believes that the Republican Party isn’t representing the people of New York. She said 53 percent of New York voters—10 million out of 19 million—are women and aren’t being properly represented.
“The Republican Party has to represent the people of the state of New York,” she said.
After being officially nominated as the Republican candidate for governor, Astorino took to twitter to accept his party’s nomination:
I proudly, emphatically, unconditionally, & enthusiastically accept your nomination for governor of the State of New York! #WinningOrLosing
— Rob Astorino (@RobAstorino) May 15, 2014
Astorino will face incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo in the 2014 election for New York State Governor in November.
