FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Kristia Winter, Communications Director
KWinter@council.nyc.gov, 718-629-2900

BROOKLYN, NY — Today, Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-Brooklyn) issued the following statement lauding the New York State legislature for passing the Say Their Name Reform Agenda Package, which was signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. This package of bills will transform community policing, by expanding transparency and accountability while putting an end to chokehold bans and false 911 calls that have weaponized police officers against Black people. 

  • Repealing 50-A (S.8496/A.10611): Section 50-A of the Civil Rights Law was repealed, making disciplinary records of police officers available to the public for review.
  • Banning Chokeholds (S.6670-B/ A.6144): This bill includes the “Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act,” which outlaws the use of chokeholds by police and subjects them to criminal charges if they do use it.
  • Prohibiting Race-Based 911 Calls (S.8492/A.1531): Any individual found to be calling 911 and making a false claim based on someone’s race can be criminally charged.
  • Appointing Attorney General as Independent Prosecutor for Police-Involved Deaths (S.2574-C/A.1601): Any death that occurs as a result of a confrontation between a police or peace officer and a civilian will be investigated and, if need be, prosecuted.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS

“The passage of the Say Their Name Reform Agenda Package is a pivotal step forward in transforming our justice system while holding law enforcement officers entrusted with protecting our communities accountable for their actions. Today’s historic milestone was a culmination of the tireless advocacy of New Yorkers who have organized and mobilized our communities to demand change. Thank you for rallying throughout our city, voicing your thoughts, and standing up for what’s right — that is how changes like these are made.  

“It won’t stop there, though. We, as New Yorkers, must continue to be vigilant. This city has suffered a long and bitter history with police brutality, and that’s why my constituents and I at the New York City Council will keep working tirelessly so that Mayor Bill de Blasio hears us. We aim to reform the NYPD and decrease their budget so that funds can be reallocated to youth and social services — to the people who need it most. Our goal is to redirect capital so that it can be used to invest in our city’s neighborhoods, spur our local economies, and provide an equitable education by funding our schools. And I have faith that we can succeed in achieving these goals together.

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District, which is comprised of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Youth Services; and Justice System. Council Member Louis is the Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino/a, and Asian Caucus.

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