BP Adams Applauds Cuomo For Signing Bill Creating Commission on Prosecutorial Misconduct
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams applauded Governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday for signing a bill that will create a commission to investigate complaints of misconduct by county prosecutors.
The new legislation will form an 11-member panel to receive and investigate complaints of misconduct by the district attorneys and their assistants. The commission’s findings will be made available to the public and referred to the governor, who has the power to remove a prosecutor from office.
The District Attorneys Association of the State of New York already plans to challenge the bill, according to recent reports. The organization prepared litigation last week and plans to file a complaint in the coming weeks.
“I have proudly fought alongside civil rights advocates and wrongfully convicted Brooklynites in pursuit of this bipartisan measure that makes accountability paramount. Innocent New Yorkers must no longer be allowed to be taken away from their loved ones for any period of time, whether it is one year or 27 years, because a select few bad-acting prosecutors advocate barely permissible conclusions that are not only ethically unsound, but costly to the State,” said Adams.
“This commission is a truly meaningful step, and going forward I will continue to pursue efforts that ensure a full and impartial review is conducted of all those responsible for our wrongful convictions crisis. Justice matters,” added Adams.
Treyger To Announce Innovative Education Program in Coney Island
City Council member Mark Treyger (D-D-Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Coney Island, Sea Gate), Chair of the City Council’s Committee on Education, will announce an innovative education program opportunity for local residents in Coney Island today.
The High School Equivalency (HSE) program is set to provide local residents with free high school equivalency classes, as well as a full suite of social services – including food, childcare, case management, and assistance with the pursuit of employment.
Additionally, the program, offering adult education classes in conjunction with social services, is the first of its kind to meet the recommendations of Investing in Quality: A Blueprint for Adult Literacy Programs and Funders, a December 2017 report released by the Literacy Assistance Center.
Treyger previously allocated funding for free HSE classes in Coney Island, but found that many of the residents who registered were unable to complete the course because of unmet needs outside the classroom. Recognizing the significance of attaining high school equivalency for local residents who are pursuing employment opportunities, Treyger decided to allocate additional funding to meet the needs of potential students and give them the assistance they need to attend and complete the course.
The event is slated for 10:30 a.m., today, Aug. 21, at BCS O’Dwyer Gardens Cornerstone Community Center, at 2945 W. 33rd Street in Coney Island.
CM Williams Wishes Muslim Community Eid Mubarek
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), Deputy Leader, wished the Muslim community a happy Eid al-Adha yesterday.
The annual celebration began Tuesday night, with millions of Muslims across the globe and the borough ready to celebrate for the four-day Festival of Sacrifice. The annual event is the second and most important of the two Eid festivals.
The holiest Muslim festival, Eid al Adha is a celebration of obeying the word of God and is prefaced with the Hajj pilgrimage. Hajj is the period in which Muslims will make pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, something everyone must do once in their lives.
“I would like to extend my best wishes to our Muslim neighbors and friends as they celebrate Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Adha exemplifies the Muslim principles of charity, sacrifice and justice. As many gather for their celebrations, Muslim New Yorkers are among the millions of pilgrims in Mecca, participating in one of the world’s largest gatherings to share in reverent prayer,” said Williams.
“This holiday is a very special time of spiritual cleansing. As a community, and regardless of our own personal creed, Eid reminds us to celebrate our rights and cultural diversity, equality, peace and justice for every human being. Especially in a time where bigoted attacks against Muslims are rising in New York and around the country, these values must be embraced and proclaimed. May this time be a meaningful, spiritual experience for all who celebrate it. Eid Mubarak,” added Williams.
Gillibrand To Announce Critical Funding For Opioid Treatment, Prevention Programs
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will announce today that the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill includes critical funding that would help communities combat the opioid crisis.
The legislation, which could pass the Senate as soon as this week, includes $3.7 billion in federal funding for treatment and prevention programs that would help communities throughout New York.
Last year, the opioid epidemic is estimated to have killed nearly 50,000 Americans, including 3,466 New Yorkers. This represents a record number of deaths due to opioid overdose. Gillibrand fought for critical funding and resources to be included in the upcoming Senate appropriations bill to help provide support for local public health officials to fight the opioid crisis.
