In response to the New York City Young Women’s Initiative releasing its report and recommendations, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Monifa Bandele.
“We applaud Speaker Mark-Viverito for convening the Young Women’s Initiative and the leadership of its participants – including Girls for Gender Equity, New York Women’s Foundation and many others – for putting forth important recommendations for government improvements for girls, young women and our entire city. We are pleased to see that the YWI recommended the policies of the Right to Know Act, just as the White House’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing did. Given this widespread support from Washington to communities across our city and a majority of council members, there should be urgent action to pass the Right to Know Act without further delay.
“We also want to recognize YWI’s recommendations to ensure women are not criminalized for possession of condoms, end the sexual harassment of women by NYPD officers, audit NYPD implementation of policies regarding interactions with trans New Yorkers, and demand an end to NYPD use of force against pregnant women. Speaker Mark-Viverito’s recognition that solutions exist amongst communities and those directly impacted by policies is critical, and we hope to see leadership from city government committed to action that follows such an important reality.”
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