In the Media

Winners & Losers of 2020

12/13/2020
City & State

On paper, 2020 was 12 months, just like any other year. But let’s be real, it felt more like a decade, at least. January was a lifetime ago, back before social distancing, Zoom parties and entire countries shutting down. Those times are but a distant memory, with photos of maskless crowds like relics of a time long past. The biggest story at the beginning of the year – the impeachment of President Donald Trump – was just the first chapter in the epic saga that has been 2020.

Senator Hoylmans Police Stat Act Act Goes Into Effect

12/12/2020
Harlem World Magazine

Today, the Police Statistics and Transparency (STAT) Act (S.1830-C/A.10609) sponsored by State Senator Brad Hoylman and Assemblymember Joe Lentol takes effect.

Almost six months after it was signed into law by Governor Cuomo.

This legislation requires New York State to collect and report data on the race, ethnicity and sex of anyone arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or violation, as well as of anyone who dies while in police custody or an attempt to establish custody.

Dermot Shea's Rocky First Year as NYPD Commissioner

12/08/2020
Gotham Gazette

This past Wednesday, December 2, marked one year since Dermot Shea was sworn in as the 44th commissioner of the New York Police Department, the third commissioner to serve in the role under Mayor Bill de Blasio. Shea’s first year in the top-cop job has been tumultuous and punctuated with controversy; a trial by fire in unprecedented times, and he often came up short, as judged by critics on both his left and his right and those simply frustrated by police brutality and rising crime.

Family Sues NYPD for Wrongful Death after Shooting of Rockland Native

12/01/2020
Rockland County Times

On Tuesday, Nov. 24, the family of Antonio Williams’ held a virtual press conference calling for the firing of the NYPD officers who shot and killed the 27-year-old father and NYPD Officer Brian Mulkeen on Sept 29 2019.  The incident took place after plainclothes officers attempted to arrest Williams for unspecified reasons. Officer Mulkeen was a victim of friendly fire. Williams’ family announced that they have filed a lawsuit with the Bronx Supreme Court which alleges that the shooting “violated New York state law and the NYPD’s departmental regulations.”

NYPD Punched, Kicked, Fatally Shot This Black Man in 2019—and Still Won’t Say Why

11/24/2020
Daily Beast

Antonio Williams was waiting for a cab one night in 2019 when a slew of NYPD officers chased, kicked, and punched him in the head, before fatally shooting him and letting him bleed out for five minutes. And they still won’t reveal why they approached the 27-year-old in the first place, according to a lawsuit and new footage released by his family.

Family of man shot to death by police plan to take NYPD to court

11/24/2020
Bronx News12

The family of a man who was shot to death by police is planning to take the NYPD to court.

This comes after the family says new video doesn’t add up to what the department says.

Antonio Williams, 27, was killed last year during a confrontation with the NYPD that also led to the death of Officer Brian Mulkeen.

“He was funny, he pretty much brought joy to everyone when he came in. He was a jokester,” said Williams’ stepmother, Gladys Williams.

Video Footage Amps Up Outrage Over NYPD Killing of Queer Man in His Home

11/20/2020
Gay City

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark on Nov. 17 released police body camera and hallway surveillance footage showing the moment when NYPD officers entered a Black queer man’s apartment last year and shot him to death in a case that has fueled outrage.

Clark also unveiled a report outlining the incident more than a year and a half after 32-year-old Kawaski Trawick was gunned down by police on April 14, 2019, at Hill House, a supportive living environment at 1616 Grand Avenue in the Bronx.

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