Central Brooklyn Officials Organize ‘Day of Action’ to Raise 2020 Census Awareness in Hard-to-Count Neighborhoods

Predominantly black communities often have among the lowest response rates to the U.S. Census, the once-a-decade count of the country’s population mandated by the Constitution. In New York City, those and other hard-to-count groups contributed to an especially low response rate in 2010, which can hurt New York’s ability to bring in federal funding, among other important negative consequences, like loss of congressional representation.

With some differences, the New York City and State governments appear to be taking the 2020 Census quite seriously, attempting to ensure a full count even as there have been many questions about how the U.S. Census Bureau and broader Trump administration are approaching the decennial count.

“This is the most important thing that will be happening in the next few weeks and we want to spread awareness, by getting out there and letting folks know about the census and its benefits,” Myrie said to those gathered at his district office on Nostrand Ave. for an initial discussion of the importance of the Census and the plan for the morning, before heading out to greet Brooklynites, discuss the Census, and pass out information on the upcoming count.

Read the full story in Gotham Gazette.