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

NEW YORK – Council Member Farah N. Louis, Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, issued the following statement after the NYPD apprehended two alleged suspects in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old Urban Dove Charter School student last April.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS

“Nearly a month ago, our community was unnerved by the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Devonte Lewis outside of his school. The apprehension of two alleged suspects by the NYPD who were close to the victim’s age illustrates the alarming citywide trends that we have seen of Black and brown youth engulfed in gun and gang violence. The City must deeply invest in seasonal and year-round employment, closing the digital divide, and creating more safe spaces such as community and recreation centers where our youth can live, learn, and grow as individuals. We need to collectively combat the prevalence of guns in our streets by occupying the corners of every neighborhood, standing alongside our Cure Violence providers, and calling for a ceasefire. Our future is in crisis and we must act now to end the school-to-prison pipeline before we lose an entire generation.”

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District, which comprises Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions. She is also a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Women and Gender Equity; Youth Services. Council Member Louis is the Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus.

###