Aber Kawas for State Senate - District 12
I'm a community organizer, democratic socialist, & daughter of Palestinian refugees running for Senate in SD-12
Vote June 23rd
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I'm a community organizer, democratic socialist, & daughter of Palestinian refugees running for Senate in SD-12
Vote June 23rd
Want to volunteer? Fill out our volunteer form
Meet Aber
I'm a community organizer and democratic socialist running to represent parts of Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, and Maspeth.
I'm the daughter of Palestinian refugees, born and raised in a working class family in New York City. When I was young, my father was detained by ICE and deported from the U.S. by the same cruel immigration system that is harming the people of Queens today. While he was in detention, my family struggled to make ends meet. These experiences shaped how I see the world, and made me the organizer I am today — determined to build power for poor and working people, so that everyone can live a life with equal dignity.
For more than 15 years, I have been at the front lines of the fight for working class New Yorkers — from the Fight for 15 to raise the minimum wage, to countering police surveillance and harassment, and organizing for immigration reform. I helped to develop and launch the Not On Our Dime Campaign alongside mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to stop NY-based organizations from exploiting their non-profit status to fund Israel's human rights violations against Palestinians.
Coming from a community that has long been disillusioned by politics, I'm running for office to challenge the status quo. Right now, the federal government is hollowing out funding for our social safety net, ramping up their attacks on immigrants, and continuing to fund Israel's genocide in Gaza with our tax dollars — all while New Yorkers struggle to make ends meet during a historic affordability crisis.
I'm a community organizer and democratic socialist running to represent parts of Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, and Maspeth.
For more than 15 years, I have been at the front lines of the fight for working class New Yorkers — from the Fight for 15 to raise the minimum wage, to countering police surveillance and harassment, and organizing for immigration reform. I helped to develop and launch the Not On Our Dime Campaign alongside mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to stop NY-based organizations from exploiting their non-profit status to fund Israel's human rights violations against Palestinians.
I'm the daughter of Palestinian refugees, born and raised in a working class family in New York City. When I was young, my father was detained by ICE and deported from the U.S. by the same cruel immigration system that is harming the people of Queens today. While he was in detention, my family struggled to make ends meet. These experiences shaped how I see the world, and made me the organizer I am today — determined to build power for poor and working people, so that everyone can live a life with equal dignity.
Coming from a community that has long been disillusioned by politics, I'm running for office to challenge the status quo. Right now, the federal government is hollowing out funding for our social safety net, ramping up their attacks on immigrants, and continuing to fund Israel's genocide in Gaza with our tax dollars — all while New Yorkers struggle to make ends meet during a historic affordability crisis.
As State Senator, I will continue to organize and build power in Queens and Albany — so that together, we can fight for a just, equitable future for all of us.
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Our District
Senate District 12
District 12 spans vibrant, diverse neighborhoods in Queens including parts of Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, and Maspeth. Our communities are home to working families, immigrants from around the world, and people fighting every day for a better future.
These are our neighborhoods - and together, we'll fight for them.
Our Platform
Affordability for All
Tax the rich to fund public goods New Yorkers rely on, so working-class families have access to housing, healthcare, and free childcare.
Fast & Free Buses
Make buses in our district fast, affordable, and reliable by funding the MTA fairly, improving both rider and worker safety, saving time and money for thousands of working class New Yorkers who ride the bus every day.
Protect Immigrants
Protect Queens families from ICE, expand access to legal support and language services, and pass the New York For All Act to strengthen immigrant rights, dignity, and safety.
Clean Energy, Affordable Utilities
Fight for a green future and lower utility bills by holding corporations like Con Edison accountable for price-gouging New Yorkers. Build public power, so that the state owns the green energy we need to fight climate change.
Public Safety through Dignity
Work with Mayor Mamdani's Department of Community Safety to expand housing stability and mental health response teams, and fight to end NYPD abuses like data-sharing with ICE that harm Queens families.
Working Class Power in Office
Govern as an organizer by supporting tenants and workers, and providing forums for Queens residents to have a say in the policies, budgets, and decisions that affect their lives.