NYC Police Reform Advocates Support 100 City “Justice for Trayvon” Visit by Family of Trayvon Martin

Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) put out the following statement from spokesperson Priscilla Gonzalez in response to the family of Trayvon Martin and National Action Network holding a vigil outside of 1 Police Plaza on Saturday to demand justice and call on the Department of Justice to bring charges against George Zimmerman.

“The verdict in the case to hold the killer of Trayvon Martin accountable shook our country’s sense of justice and has further exposed the dangers of racial profiling, which has no place in our society. While we demand justice for Trayvon, we also call for an end to discriminatory profiling everywhere, including New York City.

“The New York City Council stood up for the rights of New Yorkers last month when it passed a strong ban against the police profiling of people solely based on their race, sexual orientation, immigration status and other protected categories that have nothing to do with criminal suspicion. But Mayor Bloomberg – instead of engaging in a thoughtful public dialogue – has opposed such civil rights protections using the worst kind of hyperbolic rhetoric about profiling and is now threatening to use his wealth and super PAC to intimidate council members.

“We call on him to cease and desist with this irresponsible rhetoric and to meet with the victims of racial profiling and other types of discriminatory profiling before vetoing this bill if he truly is a mayor for all New Yorkers and not just those who don’t have to worry about being profiled.”

About Communities United for Police Reform

Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment.

CPR brings together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those unfairly targeted the most by the NYPD. CPR is fighting for reforms that will promote community safety while ensuring that the NYPD protects and serves all New Yorkers.

Learn more: http://changethenypd.org/
Follow CPR on Twitter: @Changethenypd
Like CPR on Facebook: Facebook.com/Changethenypd