James On Shooting In Baton Rouge
Public Advocate Letitia James yesterday issued the following statement following the shooting deaths of three policeman after they were ambushed by a lone gunman in Baton Rouge.
The killing of the Baton Rouge police officers follows a bloody last week and a half nationally, in which two black men were shot to death by police and five Dallas policemen were gunned down.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the officers killed this morning in Baton Rouge. We wish a speedy and full recovery to those officers who are injured,” said James.
“There are those that see the answer to injustice as retaliation and retribution, but we know that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth will only make the whole world blind and toothless. Demanding civil rights for all and supporting our law enforcement are not contradictory ideas and must be at the root of our desire to move forward as a united society. We must heal together by restoring trust in our criminal justice system and bringing peace to our communities.”
Jeffries Copyright Legislation Aimed to Help Artists
U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries (Central Brooklyn), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus leadership and House Judiciary Committee, introduced a bipartisan piece of legislation designed to help artists, photographers, movie directors, musicians, songwriters, authors and other creators protect their work from unauthorized reproduction.
The Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2016, H.R. 5757, which is co-sponsored by Republican Congressman Tom Marino (PA-10), would create a Copyright Claims Board (“CCB”) in order to provide a simple, quick and less expensive forum for copyright owners to enforce their intellectual property.
The majority of the copyright owners that are affected are independent creators with small copyright infringement claims. While not replacing district court, the CCB provides an alternative forum for copyright owners to protect their work from infringement.
“The establishment of the CCB is critical for the creative middle class who deserve to benefit from the fruits of their labor. Copyright enforcement is essential to ensure that these artists, writers, musicians, and other creators are able to commercialize their creative work in order to earn a livelihood. H.R. 5757 will enable copyright holders to enforce their copyrights in a fair, timely and less expensive forum. I look forward to working with Representative Marino on this important legislation,” said Jeffries.
Participation in the CCB is voluntary, and respondents have the ability to opt out. The CCB will be housed within the U.S. Copyright Office, and its jurisdiction is limited to civil copyright cases with a cap of $30,000 in damages. A panel of three Copyright Claims Officers will be designated to adjudicate and settle copyright claims. The simplified proceedings do not require the parties to appear in-person and permit them to proceed pro se – i.e. without an attorney.
Adams Urges Stronger NYPD Outreach To Troubled Police Officers
Following the deadly drunk driving crash in Williamsburg by an off-duty cop this weekend, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams yesterday urged the NYPD and police unions to improve outreach to families of police officers on opportunities to report warning signs for substance abuse.
In comments delivered yesterday on the corner of Bedford Avenue and North 8th Street, where the off-duty drunk policeman plowed his car into pedestrians killing one and injuring three, Adams discussed the need for the city to provide trauma counseling services for the community, particularly those who witnessed the gruesome tragedy.
Cornegy Celebrates Life Of Nelson Mandela
City Councilman Robert Cornegy Jr. (Bed-Stuy, Northern Crown Heights), today will host the third annual tribute to the life and legacy of South African Civil Rights icon and statesman Nelson Mandela.
The event dubbed Mandela Day Bed-Stuy, A Celebration of South Africa, Social Justice And Service, will feature music, dance, poetry and community service.
The event is slated for 10 a.m.-6 p.m., today at Boys & Girls High School, 1700 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant. For more info call (718) 919-0740 or email kbrown@council.nyc.gov.
Donovan Lauds Declassification Of 9/11 Commission Report
U.S. Representative Dan Donovan (Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) Friday lauded President Obama’s decision to declassify 28 pages of the federal 9/11 Commission report.
Donovan is a cosponsor of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which would permit Americans victims of terror attacks on U.S. soil to file suit against sovereign states complicit in the attack.
“The families of 9/11 victims – many of whom live in my district – deserve full information about what happened that day and the months leading up to it. I support the Obama Administration’s decision to declassify these pages. There is no priority higher than justice and solace for the lives cut tragically short 15 years ago,” said Donovan.
DNC Summer Soiree Fundraiser For Butler, Cumbo, Mosley
Democratic National Convention Delegates VIDA (Vanguard Independent Democratic Association) President Henry L. Butler, Assemblyman Walter Mosley, and Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo are celebrating their upcoming trip to the Democratic National Convention with a fundraising Summer Soiree on Wednesday.
The three are proud to represent Brooklyn in voting for Hillary Clinton to become the Democratic nominee for the Presidency of the United States.
The soiree is slated for between 6-9 p.m., Wednesday, July 20, at the Vodou Bar and Restaurant, 95 Halsey Street and the corner of Nostrand Avenue.
Richardson Has New Office
Assemblywoman Diana Richardson announced she has a new district office.
The office is located at 330 Empire Boulevard off Nostrand Avenue towards Rogers Avenue. The office hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the constituent affairs hours being between 10 a.m.-5p.m.
