Often hailed as the world’s borough, Queens is one of the most diverse places in the United States. Walking through Diversity Plaza, it is easy to hear a few dozen of the hundreds of languages spoken in Queens. It is also the perfect place to indulge in jhol momos, watch a traditional Filipino dance performance, or catch up with friends over gulabi chai. There is a beautiful sense of community within this borough, but unfortunately, it is not always free from deceitful actors who pose threats to democracy.
This past November, New Yorkers not only went to the polls to vote for their next mayor, but also for their representative to the New York City Council. As the city’s primary lawmakers, city council members are tasked with introducing, debating, and voting on local laws that affect nearly all aspects of city life, such as affordable housing and public safety. Given the broadsweeping influence that city council members have on local issues, it is crucial that voters have accurate information on the candidates in order to make informed decisions. However, this was not the case for Queens District 29.
In the month preceding the election, Jonathan David Rinaldi, the Republican candidate for District 29, was publishing content that falsely portrayed his candidacy and that of his opponent, Democratic incumbent Lynn Schulman. According to the Queens Daily Eagle, Rinaldi’s social media posted numerous AI-generated videos of fake supporters talking and singing about him. His campaign also posted fake articles that pretended to be from news outlets such as the Associated Press, CNN, and the New York Post. The disinformation in these articles ranged from fake endorsements to false announcements that Schulman had dropped out of the race. Although Rinaldi denied responsibility, claiming that his social media accounts were hacked, the misleading content only proliferated after he publicly addressed the misinformation campaign.
These tactics pose a grave threat to American democracy by weakening public trust in elections. This is especially dangerous in immigrant and multilingual communities such as Queens, where many residents already feel disconnected from the political process due to language barriers, limited outreach, and previous negative interactions with government. In these circumstances, misinformation readily fills the vacuum created by institutional neglect. While Congress should pass greater transparency requirements to curb the use of deceptive AI-generated political content, federal action alone is not enough. Trust grows through relationships, reliable information, and consistent community engagement. These gaps in trust and information are what I hope to address through my capstone project, the Kapwa Civic Project.
Drawing inspiration from the Filipino concept of kapwa, which loosely translates to “shared identity” or “togetherness,” this project seeks to empower community members through continuous acts of civic engagement. So far, I have created multilingual election guides, held a civic engagement-themed zine workshop, and hosted a Know Your Rights workshop to ensure that residents understand their rights and feel empowered with their vote. Through these events, I sought to create a welcoming space where participants felt comfortable sharing any questions and concerns they had surrounding the election – including Rinaldi’s false advertisements. After having these open conversations, many attendees expressed that this was the first time they felt truly seen and taken seriously as voters. To me, this reaffirmed the importance of creating civic spaces where trust, dialogue, and belonging are built year-round.
Although the election has passed, our work is just beginning. What we owe to each other as community members does not end at the ballot box; we must continue to show up for our neighbors and actively counter the isolation and confusion that misinformation creates. Within the Kapwa Civic Project, I am looking forward to hosting events that turn community knowledge into action through collaborative research and civic workshops. More broadly, however, I urge everyone to invest in long-term relationships that strengthen our shared capacity to protect democracy together.
As we look beyond a single election cycle, it becomes clear that safeguarding our democracy requires more than showing up to vote – it requires showing up for one another. The forces that seek to mislead and divide us thrive in moments of disconnection, but Queens has always shown that its greatest strength lies in its people and their commitment to collective care. By engaging in conversations with our neighbors, sharing reliable information, and building inclusive civic spaces, we can create a community that is resilient to misinformation and grounded in trust. I invite all of us – whether as organizers, residents, or simply as neighbors – to take part in this work. Reach out to someone who feels left out of the process. Attend a public hearing. Volunteer at a community event. Democracy flourishes when we treat it not as a destination but as a daily practice, and together, we can ensure that every voice in our borough is both heard and valued.
Mia Roque is a fellow in the 2025-26 cohort of the John Lewis Young Leaders.