Astoria Park (Photo: NYC Parks Dept.)
March 29, 2019 By Alexa Beyer
An ardent supporter of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is hosting a family fun run in Astoria next month in support of the freshman congresswoman and the Green New Deal.
The run, dubbed “The Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 5K,” is scheduled for Saturday, April 27. The Earth Day-themed 5K run/walk will start in Astoria Park and take runners along the waterfront on Shore Boulevard.
Families can opt to either walk or run the 5K course, and kids can enter a 1K Dash.
Tim Hayes, an avid fan of Ocasio-Cortez from Sunnyside, first reached out to the congresswoman’s office with the idea in January.
“I think she has a lot of vision, she’s strong spirited, and my whole family believes in a lot of the things she’s promoting and believes she has an opportunity to make some changes for New York’s 14th District, for New York, and for people all over the world,” he said.
Hayes, a professional event organizer, said that Ocasio-Cortez’s staff liked the idea and have worked with him in recent months to refine the concept.
One request, he said, was that the event be hosted in the congresswoman’s district.
The campaign also suggested that the race be held on the Saturday after Earth Day to call attention to legislation that the congresswoman introduced to Congress last month.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (via Twitter)
The Green New Deal—a term that purposely evokes Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal from the 1930s—is a policy proposal with progressive backing that aims to address climate change through the lens of growing inequality. It calls for a massive public investment in renewable energy jobs and infrastructure, and seeks to put lower-income people at the center of a shift towards renewable energy.
The cost to register for the 5K is $25 and $15 for the 1K. Rates will increase after April 13.
All proceeds, after costs, will go to her campaign. In addition to the registration fee, participants are encouraged to make a donation—in any amount—to the congresswoman.
The event is from 9-10 a.m. Free parking will be available on site, although participants are advised to carpool or use public transportation if possible.
To register, click here.
