MANH Lawmakers on the Move, June 8, 2020

Hoylman Calls on City Stop Detaining Protesters

Last Friday, State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Chelsea, Midtown) released a statement harshly criticizing the City’s response to the George Floyd protests.

The statement came soon after New York County Supreme Court Justice James Burke ruled that the City can detain arrested protesters without trial beyond the usual 24-hour limit. Burke argued that the City needs more time to process those cases, as both the COVID-19 pandemic and the mass protests have slowed down the system.

“Over the last eight days, tens of thousands of New Yorkers have taken to the streets to declare that Black lives matter,” said Hoylman. “The calls for racial justice and police reform are getting louder and the protests continue to grow in size. Our city’s response has been nothing short of a disaster.

“Protesters are being locked up for more than 24 hours without being charged, violating their constitutional rights to due process and against unreasonable seizure. They are being shoved into crowded cells, putting their health at risk in the midst of a pandemic. And they are being treated with aggression and violence simply for using their First Amendment right to gather and protest.

“As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I’m extremely disappointed in Judge Burke’s decision not to release New Yorkers who have been detained for more than 24 hours—especially considering the major risk this poses during a pandemic. I urge the Office of Court Administration to do everything in its power to expedite arraignment proceedings, and I encourage all five District Attorneys in New York City to drop all criminal charges against those arrested for engaging in peaceful protest, including all charges against those arrested simply for breaking curfew.”

Johnson Denounces NYPD for Suspending Press Pass Applications

Council Member Corey Johnson (Credit: Jeff Reed) — Council Member Corey Johnson

Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) released a statement on Saturday after the NYPD announced that it would be suspending applications for press presses during the citywide protests against police brutality.

Prior to the announcement, there had been several reports of officers threatening to revoke the existing passes of journalists covering the protests.

“There is no excuse for slowing down press access, especially now,” said Johnson. “It is clear that the New York Police Department (NYPD) should not be handling press passes. It should be a neutral agency with limited political influence. The Council is willing to legislate, but the Mayor should quickly issue an Executive Order moving authority out of the NYPD and long-standing eliminating barriers to access.”

De Blasio Announces New Policing Reforms

Mayor Bill de Blasio (Credit: William Alatriste) — Mayor Bill de Blasio

Yesterday, Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced his intention to implement several new reforms to the NYPD, overhauling how the City is policed.

Among the new reforms he announced were:

reforming state law 50A, which keeps the personnel records of police officers confidential;
diverting funding from the NYPD to youth and social services;
and appointing community ambassadors, who will serve as arbiters between NYPD officers and civilians.

“While we have taken many steps to reform policing in this city, there is clearly more work to do to strengthen trust between officers and the New Yorkers they serve,” said de Blasio. “These will be the first of many steps my Administration will take over the next 18 months to rebuild a fairer City that profoundly addresses injustice and disparity.”

Cuomo Extends Deadline to Submit Absentee Ballots

Governor Andrew Cuomo (Photo Credit: www.governor.ny.gov) — Governor Andrew Cuomo

Yesterday, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill extending the deadline to submit absentee ballots until June 23, the day of the election.

Cuomo had previously enacted an Executive Order ensuring that all New Yorkers receive absentee ballot applications.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world, and while we are making great progress and the numbers keep going down, no New Yorker should have to choose between their health and their right to vote,” Cuomo said. “Extending the deadline to submit absentee ballots builds on our previous Executive Orders to make it easier for New Yorkers to vote absentee in the upcoming primary election and it will help to increase voter participation as we continue to fight this virus.”