MEMBERS OF THE BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, HISPANIC & ASIAN LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS RETURN TO CAPITOL TO PASS POLICE REFORM LEGISLATION IN NEW YORK STATE

ALBANY, NY (June 7, 2020) – This week, the New York State Legislature will convene to vote on a package of police reform bills championed by the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus. While the legislature has adopted rules to allow for virtual votes, the Members of the Caucus are mobilizing for justice in order to come together in unity at the Capitol to pass these historic measures.

Over the last several weeks, public support has grown for policies that would transform the ways in which policing is conducted across New York State. The Caucus organized ten press conferences on June 4th in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, turning out thousands who demanded to see New York lead the way.

The police reform advanced by the Members of the Caucus will bring transparency to police departments in New York State by repealing 50-a, a law that shields police misconduct records from the public; and passing the STAT Act, which would require police departments across the state to record and report much-needed demographic and geographic data.

Other measures contained within the Caucus’ police reform package would address police misconduct, reform police procedures and requirements, and provide standards for police camera use. The full package can be found at: https://bphacaucus.com/join-us.

As we have all witnessed over the last several weeks—between the unequal enforcement of social distancing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to the countless examples of excessive and fatal force inflicted upon Black people across the country—New Yorkers and people all over the world are demanding action to end the state-sanctioned violence against Black lives. The Caucus was founded decades ago because we know that #BlackLivesMatter. This week, we will travel to Albany as our colleagues in government join us to enshrine this very fact into law.

In New York State, we have the opportunity to demand greater accountability from law enforcement and those who would seek to exploit them with racist intent. We must have accountability from our government if we are to restore the trust of the communities we represent. The lives, well-being, mental, emotional and physical health of our people demand nothing less; thus, we call on the Governor to quickly sign this package upon passage.

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The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus is a sixty-two-member body of state legislators representing a quarter of residents across the State of New York from Long Island, the metro New York City area, and upstate.

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