John,
One year ago, the brutal police killing of George Floyd galvanized us to action, sparking a historic racial justice uprising and fueling ongoing movement to transform public safety.
Today, we remember his life, and all the work we have left to do to honor his memory.
Last May and June, tens of thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets demanding budget justice, and real transformation in how our city approaches public safety. We still have a long way to go.
If you are looking for ways to take action today:
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Join a demonstration or memorial event in the streets. I’m planning to go to the rally at Barclays Center at 5 PM hosted by the NY Working Families Party and partner organizations. Details here.
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Learn about efforts to transform public safety and address systemic racism in our government and economy. Join us tonight online for our event with Jumaane Williams, Heather McGee, and Dorcey Applyrs where we will be talking about how the Comptroller’s office can be a partner to that work. RSVP here.
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Support Black-led organizing and community groups that are doing the work to transform public safety year in and year out. Communities United for Police Reform is a NYC-based coalition of more than 30 member organizations that work together on police accountability advocacy alongside families of New Yorkers killed by the NYPD, learn more about them and their member groups here.
Our city has gone through a year of grief, trauma, and hardship. In some ways it's no surprise that, despite a policing budget larger than the GDP of many nations, crime has gone up in New York City and many communities feel less safe. This year, and as we come out of this pandemic, we must build a city that dramatically expands proven public health and community safety solutions, rather than continuing to increase policing and incarceration, to keep ALL our communities safe.
I’ll be a partner in that work every day.
Brad
