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

BROOKLYN, NY — NYC Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-Brooklyn) issued the following statement after Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance announced Amy Cooper would be charged with a misdemeanor for filing a false police report. On May 25th, Ms. Cooper was asked to place her dog on a leash by Christian Cooper in adherence to Central Park regulations. Moments later, she made a 911 call falsely claiming that an African-American man was threatening her life in Central Park.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS

“We live in a society where the biggest threat to the safety and well-being of Black men is an encounter with police. Amy Cooper acted recklessly and made false allegations that could have criminalized or killed an innocent Black man. Her behavior goes beyond the alarming trend that we have seen across the U.S., it is a crime that should be prosecuted. The indictment announced by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is a step towards creating a more just society where being Black in America is no longer a cause for making frivolous 911 calls and wasting critical resources. This decision also ensures that no one can weaponize the NYPD against Black people or any other race. I want to commend District Attorney Vance for pursuing rather than dismissing this case for ‘bigger fish to fry’ while lives are at stake whenever justice is denied.”

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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