45th District seat candidate addresses tweets considered homophobic, anti-Semitic

One of the front-runners in the race for City Council's 45th District seat is answering to newly surfaced tweets that many consider anti-Semitic and anti-LGBT.

News 12 Staff

May 7, 2019, 2:51 AM

Updated 1,908 days ago

Share:

One of the front-runners in the race for City Council's 45th District seat is answering to newly surfaced tweets that many consider anti-Semitic and anti-LGBT.
An article in the New York Daily News unearthed tweets from Farah Louis that expressed disapproval over a televised kiss between two female actresses in 2010. Another was retweeting a comment saying "these Jews are annoying me."
Louis was former councilmember Jumaane Williams' chief of staff. She says she wants to be as transparent as possible.
"When I saw that article, I was hurt, I was upset and I was disappointed in myself," says Louis. "Ten years ago, yes, I retweeted some tweets and I even shared feelings on social media that are insensitive and hurtful, and I'm definitely apologetic about those particular tweets."
Louis says she has grown and got to know and appreciate the diversity of Brooklyn. Now, she says she is focused on building bridges of the Jewish and LGBT community, among others.
"Because I went through particular things now, I can use those platforms to lend my voice and show young people a different way than what I did in the past. Because what I did wasn't the right way."
Louis, who says she has worked hard for years to empower women with her nonprofit group Girls Leading Up, says she has big plans for the 45th District.
"I know each area of my district, I know the leaders, I know where the potholes are, I know where the gas stations are shutting down," says Louis. "District 45 is what is important to me. My purpose right now is to win this race and to get the district to where we need to be."
Williams did not endorse Louis in the race, instead choosing Monique Chandler-Waterman, who worked for him in the past.
"I am not sure why he endorsed someone else, that's a good question to ask him. What I do know is that he entrusted me with the districts budget, with constituent services and he believed I was the best person to be in his office for the last 5 and a half years," says Louis.
The district's special election is May 14.


More from News 12
0:32
Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

1:40
Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

1:46
Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

1:54
East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

1:24
G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

1:44
Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

1:43
Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

0:47
Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

0:24
Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

1:44
The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

1:36
Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

1:31
Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

1:41
Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

1:46
YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

0:37
Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

1:14
New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

1:35
Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

1:55
Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

0:29
Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American

Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American