Reports are coming in from the Bronx of voter harassment, tampering and intimidation by Pedro Espada and his supporters. Some reports indicate that Espada himself may be breaking the law, though this is not confirmed. Reports of handing out campaign lit INSIDE a polling place, tires slashed, etc. Really sleazy shit even for Espada.

The Albany Project has posted a call for poll watchers who can help stop Espada's anti-democratic escapades:

Just received a request for Poll Watchers in the Bronx !!!!

There are reports of apparently Espada led voter intimidation and tampering.

We need people in the area to help out as poll watchers. You don't need to be an attorney.

Let's not let Espada steal this one.

Contact me @ brian at thealbanyproject dot com and I'll get you in touch with the proper folks.

Help if you can.

I knew Pedro Espada was scum...but this seems worse than usual.

Here's an update...it really sounds like Pedro Espada has no regard for democracy, decency or the law:

At 268 East 207th Street: Senator Pedro Espada was inside the polling location, talking to voters,
handing out literature, and saying "vote for me" with his campaign workers.

At P.S. 33: Pedro G. Espada handed out literature for his father inside the poll site.

At Vladeck Hall, 74 Van Cortlandt Park: An Espada staffer on government payroll, Michael Gary, who is apparently a poll inspector, steered people to vote for Espada. Once voters are inside the poll site, Gary said, "I speak Spanish and I can help you vote."

At Middle School 80: As soon as the police left for lunch, Espada volunteers started leafleting within
the poll site vicinity. Also, the person who is giving instruction for voters changed the instructions
from English to Spanish for an English-speaking voter so the voter could not understand. The
Spanish interpreter gave Espada volunteers high-fives and hugs as he walked out of the polling site.

At Fort Independence Community Center at 3350 Bailey Avenue: An Espada poll worker said to Rivera workers, "you better tell your people to behave because I'm likely to stab first."

Fordham Hill Coop, 2440 Sedgwick Ave: Several canvassers said the apartment building security guards at the poll site have asked voters who they are voting for. Only Espada voters have been allowed into the building.

At P.S. 70, Eastburn Avenue and 173rd Street: There was no Spanish interpreter at the poll site. The
Espada poll watcher had a "poll workers" certificate and a sign that said, "I speak Spanish". She was told to cease and desist.

P.S. 93 at 182 Washington Street: Espada's workers set up a road block to stop traffic and are giving out literature.

At P.S. 57: Ruth T.P. Smith, one of the poll inspectors who is close friends with Espada, told people to vote for Espada inside the poll site.

At P.S. 23: An Espada worker wearing campaign paraphernalia inside the poll site, was asked to leave, but refused

These guys are an embarrassment to the Democratic Party. Are we no better than the Republicans here?