Press Releases

For immediate release: April 9, 2019

Large Coalition Tells Governor Cuomo and State Legislature: Criminal Justice Reform Requires Passage of the Safer NY Act and Full Repeal of 50-a, New York’s Harmful Police Secrecy Law

Albany, NY – Today, a coalition of more than ninety organizations from across New York called on Governor Cuomo and the state legislature to pass the Safer NY Act, a legislative package that includes a bill to repeal 50-a, New York’s harmful police secrecy law. 

For immediate release: April 3, 2019

Ahead of the One-Year Anniversary of Saheed Vassell’s Death, Elected Officials, Police Accountability Advocates, and Family Members Demand Real Accountability for NYPD Officers Who Killed Him

New York – Today, at City Hall, elected officials, police accountability advocates, and members of the Vassell family gathered to demand real accountability for NYPD officers who killed Saheed Vassell in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. This news event commemorated the one-year anniversary of Saheed’s death. On April 4, 2018, Saheed Vassell was killed by NYPD Strategic Response Group and plainclothes officers in broad daylight - in a hail of 10 bullets, on the 50th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination.

For immediate release: March 29, 2019

Eric Vassell, Father of Saheed Vassell, Disappointed That Attorney General Letitia James Will Not Seek Indictments and Prosecutions of NYPD Officers Who Killed His Son Last Year

New York – Today, Eric Vassell, the father of Saheed Vassell, released the following statement in response to New York State Attorney General Letitia James' decision not to seek indictments and prosecutions of NYPD officers who killed his son last year in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

His statement today comes on the heels of a meeting Mr. Vassell had with the Attorney General's officer earlier today in Lower Manhattan about his son’s case.

For immediate release: March 21, 2019

At City Hall Thursday, Police Reform Groups, Jumaane Williams, Elected Officials, and Families Impacted by Police Violence Called for Passage of the Safer NY Act and Repeal of 50-a, New York’s Harmful Police Secrecy Law

New York, NY — Today, at City Hall, police reform groups, elected officials, and families impacted by police violence held a press conference and rally calling on the state legislature and Governor Cuomo to pass the Safer NY Act and repeal 50-a, New York’s harmful police secrecy law. 

The Safer NY Act is a package of state bills that would ensure criminal justice reform also increases police transparency and accountability, and enhances public safety in communities across New York.  

For immediate release: March 18, 2019

James Blake Responds to News That NYPD Penalizes Violations of Police Procedure More Harshly Than Brutality Against Civilians

In 2015, best-selling author and professional tennis player James Blake was brutally slammed to the ground and held against his will for almost 10 minutes by NYPD Officer James Frascatore.
 
For immediate release: February 12, 2019

Police Reform Groups and Families Impacted by Police Violence Tell State Legislature: Pass the Safer New York Act and Repeal 50-a, New York’s Harmful Police Secrecy Law

Albany, NY - Today, members and leaders of Communities United for Police Reform held a press conference and rally in the state capitol calling on the state legislature and Governor Cuomo to pass the Safer New York Act and repeal 50-a, New York’s harmful police secrecy law.

The Safer New York Act is a package of bills that would increase police transparency and accountability, and enhance public safety in communities across New York. 

For immediate release: February 8, 2019

CPR to NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill: Real Police Transparency and Accountability Require Full Repeal of 50-a

Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) released the following statement responding to NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill’s op-ed in the New York Daily News today:

For immediate release: February 7, 2019

At New York City Council Hearing Today, Families of Ramarley Graham, Saheed Vassell, and Delrawn Small Joined Police Reform Advocates to Call for Changes to NYPD Discipline System

NYPD was asked to listen to panel of family members, but refused and walked out of the hearing.

Today, family representatives for Ramarley Graham, Eric Garner, Saheed Vassell, and Delrawn joined advocates from Communities United for Police Reform to participate in a New York City Council hearing on reforming the broken NYPD disciplinary process for police officers who engage in misconduct and perpetrate harm against New Yorkers.  The advocates included speakers from the following groups: Make the Road New York, Girls for Gender Equity, Legal Aid Society, New York Civ

For immediate release: February 1, 2019

CPR Responds to NYPD Discipline Panel Report Released Today

 Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) released the following statement today responding to the release of a report from the Independent Panel on the Disciplinary System of the New York City Police Department

“The Panel’s report today affirms what New Yorkers of color and others impacted by police violence have long known: the NYPD’s disciplinary process lacks transparency and is fundamentally flawed. We share the Panel’s frustration with the fact that the NYPD disciplinary process is a systemic failure. The lack of transparency and meaningful NYPD discipline for police officers who engage in misconduct has worsened on Mayor de Blasio’s watch,” said Anthonine Pierre, a spokesperson for Communities United for Police Reform (CPR).

For immediate release: January 31, 2019

Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s Mother, Reacts to Today’s Disciplinary Hearing for NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo’s Upcoming Prosecution

New York, NY – Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, released the statement below about today’s NYPD disciplinary hearing for the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB)’s upcoming prosecution of NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo for killing Garner. It was the second hearing of its kind that has been held in recent months on Pantaleo's role in Garner's death.

Pages