In the Media

Baltimore native Chris Bilal was walking through his adopted Brooklyn neighborhood when he was stopped by a police officer. The NYPD officer peppered the 24-year-old with questions about where he lived, requested Bilal's ID and rummaged through his bag.

"I was coming home from the Laundromat and I was stopped by the police officer. Asking me, 'Let me see your ID. 'Where are you from?' 'Do you live around here?' "

Though Commissioner Ray Kelly promised to investigate the murder of 18-year-old Ramarley Graham in the Bronx, community members who have spent their entire lives surviving in neighborhoods under the intimidating eye of police patrols and perennial surveillance towers already know the cause of death: the NYPD's discriminatory, unlawful, and abusive policing practices.

Activists speaking out against the New York Police Department's controversial stop-and-frisk policy are unveiling a new weapon: art!

Last month, we reported on the formation of a coalition called Communities United for Police Reform, or CPR, which has brought together dozens of groups under a unified campaign to push for increased police accountability (and to make stop-and-frisk and police reform important topics in the upcoming mayoral election).

Last week, City Councilman Jumaane Williams announced he would continue his fight against what he considers discriminatory practices by the NYPD.

Williams launched legislative efforts to raise NYPD accountability at a stated meeting of the City Council, introducing three bills aimed at ensuring safer streets and better policing for all New Yorkers.