Right to Know Act

Revealing Documentary on the Right To Know Act

12/13/2016
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The film, titled "Police Reform, Ramarley Graham, and The Right To Know Act,” details the story of how the city pushed hard to legislate a promising police reform this year, but ultimately failed when City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton struck a deal to implement the act administratively, but not by law.

Key Accountability Reforms of the Right To Know Act

In July 2016, the New York Times reported that NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito had agreed to a deal with then-NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton in an attempt to prevent a vote on the Right to Know Act. The deal removed some of the most important protections of the Right to Know Act, including policies explicitly prioritized by the White House Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and its underlying foundation of accountability. The following fact sheet includes some of these key distinctions and further demonstrates why the NYC Council must pass the Right To Know Act to ensure meaningful and lasting reforms to protect all New Yorkers.

Broken Windows Policing | BK Live

10/07/2016
BRIC TV

The broken windows policing policy came into existence nationwide in the early 80s, with the intent to reduce criminal activity in what were known as "disruptive environments.'

To speak on the dated and problematic nature of the policies are Alex Vitale, a professor of sociology at Brooklyn College, Nahal Zamani, Program Manager at the Center for Constitutional Rights, and Anthonine Pierre, Community Organizer at the Brooklyn Movement Center.

Cops & Community: Innovations Around Policing Town Hall | #BHeard

10/06/2016
BRIC TV
The killings of unarmed black civilians by the police have sparked a nationwide conversation around race and police violence. What innovations are underway that can help us think differently about the role of law enforcement in our society? BRIC TV Senior Correspondent Brian Vines moderates a panel of luminaries about ideas around innovations around policing practices in our communities.

Controversial NYPD Reform Bill Blocked by Speaker Now Has Veto-Proof Majority Support

08/26/2016
Observer

A hotly contested measure that would obligate cops give their name, rank and command during most routine stops now has enough backers it could theoretically override a veto by Mayor Bill de Blasio—if his ally Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito would ever let it get a vote on the City Council floor.

Policing themselves: Family members of New Yorkers killed by NYPD officers slam council speaker for blocking reform

Melissa Mark-Viverito is accused of delaying NYPD reform by relatives of people killed cops
08/26/2016
Salon

Nineteen relatives of people killed by New York City police officers have sent letters to the City Council condemning Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for attempting to “delay police reforms” and “leaving the NYPD to police itself.” The letters accuse Mark-Viverito, an ally of Mayor Bill de Blasio, of blocking the passage of the Right to Know Act, which would require that police identify themselves during stops and provide a rationale for the interaction, issue business cards when there’s no summons or arrest, and

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