Press Releases

For immediate release:

May 26, 2021

Court Hears Oral Arguments in the Lawsuit Seeking Judicial Inquiry into Eric Garner’s Killing; Family and Organizers Demand de Blasio Drop the Appeal

The NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, heard oral arguments in Carr v. de Blasio, the lawsuit seeking a historic judicial inquiry into Eric Garner’s killing, the cover-up that continues to this day, and the related refusal to fire officers who engaged in misconduct related to the killing.

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May 25, 2021

Families of New Yorkers Killed by Police, Community Orgs, Elected Officials, March from Barclays Center to Bed-Stuy to Demand Justice for NYPD Killings

Groups demand to #DefundNYPD in FY22

Families whose loved ones have been killed by the NYPD, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR), Make the Road New York, Justice Committee, Brooklyn Movement Center, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, and other CPR member and partner groups, including Citizen Action of New York, Color of Change, Equality for Flatbush (E4F), Housing Works, Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ), New York City Anti-Violence Project, New York Working Families Party, TakeRoot Justice, and VOCAL-NY, led a march, starting at Barclays Center to Herbert Von King Park in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn to demand the firing of NYPD officers who have killed New Yorkers and to demand Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Corey Johnson and the City Council #DefundNYPD and redirect monies to community needs. The march marked the one-year anniversary of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Read more about Families of New Yorkers Killed by Police, Community Orgs, Elected Officials, March from Barclays Center to Bed-Stuy to Demand Justice for NYPD Killings

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May 20, 2021

Family of Kawaski Trawick, Organizers, and Elected Officials, Demand Mayor de Blasio Fire NYPD Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis

Family and Organizers Demand CCRB Substantiate Charges Against Officers

Today, the family of Kawaski Trawick, the Justice Committee, and Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) met with the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) regarding the CCRB investigation of NYPD officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis—the NYPD officers who killed Kawaski Trawick. The Trawick Family, the Justice Committee, and CPR were joined by Councilmember Antonio Reynoso and Councilmember Brad Lander for a media availability following the meeting to demand action and accountability for Kawaski’s killing.

Read more about Family of Kawaski Trawick, Organizers, and Elected Officials, Demand Mayor de Blasio Fire NYPD Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis

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April 21, 2021

One Day After Guilty Chauvin Verdict in MN, NYC Community Groups & Elected Officials Slam Mayor de Blasio and NYPD After “No Wrongdoing was Found” in NYPD Killing of Kawaski Trawick

- Community groups called on the CCRB to substantiate misconduct against officers who killed Kawaski Trawick and renewed calls to schedule a discipline trial for officer who killed Delrawn Small -

Read more about One Day After Guilty Chauvin Verdict in MN, NYC Community Groups & Elected Officials Slam Mayor de Blasio and NYPD After “No Wrongdoing was Found” in NYPD Killing of Kawaski Trawick

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April 21, 2021

Judicial Inquiry into Eric Garner’s Death Could Begin on July 19

Following a discovery conference yesterday in Carr v. de Blasio, the Court scheduled July 19 as the potential date to begin a judicial inquiry into Eric Garner’s death. As part of the judicial inquiry, Mayor de Blasio, former NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill, and others could be called to take the stand and answer questions about City officials’ neglect and violations of duties related to the killing of Eric Garner and the lack of discipline of officers other than Daniel Pantaleo.

Read more about Judicial Inquiry into Eric Garner’s Death Could Begin on July 19

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April 20, 2021

Ellen Trawick and Police Accountability Leaders Outraged by NYPD’s Refusal to Discipline Officers Responsible for Killing Kawaski Trawick in His Home

Family & Activists Call on CCRB to substantiate misconduct by Thompson & Davis

Today, it was made public by ProPublica that the NYPD found “no wrongdoing” in the 2019 killing of Kawaski Trawick by NYPD Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis.

Read more about Ellen Trawick and Police Accountability Leaders Outraged by NYPD’s Refusal to Discipline Officers Responsible for Killing Kawaski Trawick in His Home

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April 13, 2021

New York City Police Unions Give Up on Failed Attempts to Roll Back #Repeal50a and Block Release of Misconduct and Discipline Records

Win for Communities United for Police Reform: Litigation will be dismissed and prior temporary injunction to be lifted

New York, NY - Today, the New York City police, corrections, and fire unions finally threw in the towel on a lawsuit to block the release of officer misconduct and disciplinary records following the repeal of 50-a—they have agreed to dismiss the action in its entirety and with prejudice. Earlier this year, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied the New York City police unions’ attempt to block public release of the majority of officer misconduct and discipline records and recognized that Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) could challenge the district court’s remaining limited injunction over certain records. Now, with the police unions’ case expected to be officially dismissed by Judge Failla, all injunctive relief will be dissolved and the NYPD and City can no longer point to this litigation as an excuse to hide police misconduct records.

Read more about New York City Police Unions Give Up on Failed Attempts to Roll Back #Repeal50a and Block Release of Misconduct and Discipline Records

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April 9, 2021

Family of Antonio Williams & Organizers Respond to Bronx DA’s Refusal to Indict NYPD Officers Responsible for 2019 Killing

Today, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark’s office informed the family of Antonio Williams that NYPD officers responsible for killing Antonio in 2019 will not be prosecuted. During the virtual meeting with the Bronx DA’s office, the family, the Justice Committee, Communities United for Police Reform and the family’s lawyers were informed about the status of the investigation and that officers who killed Antonio Williams, including NYPD Sgt. Jason Valentino, Det.

Read more about Family of Antonio Williams & Organizers Respond to Bronx DA’s Refusal to Indict NYPD Officers Responsible for 2019 Killing

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April 1, 2021

Families of New Yorkers Killed by Police, Community Organizations, Mark the First Day Special Prosecutor Law Takes Effect

Today marks the enactment of the hard-fought law to codify and strengthen the special prosecutor’s office in New York State that investigates all killings by police and deaths in police custody.

Read more about Families of New Yorkers Killed by Police, Community Organizations, Mark the First Day Special Prosecutor Law Takes Effect

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March 30, 2021

CPR Celebrates Long-Fought Victory to Legalize Marijuana and Secure Restitution for Communities Hardest Hit by Marijuana Enforcement

Today, after years of organizing for the legalization of marijuana, New York State is poised to pass the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA). Once it becomes law, the MRTA will be one of the most ambitious legalization programs in the country. It includes comprehensive racial justice-oriented restitution for the communities—largely Black, Latinx, and other communities of color—who have been historically harmed by marijuana policing and New York’s drug laws.

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