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

BROOKLYN, NY—Council Member Farah Louis (D-Brooklyn), Vice Co-Chair of the Black Latino and Asian Caucus (BLAC), released the following statement after a 16-year-old boy and son of a close friend was found with a gunshot wound to the chest at a Popeye’s restaurant in Canarsie. He is listed in critical condition.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS

“In the past year, Black and Brown communities bore the brunt of the human and economic toll resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. I have been numb and frighteningly knew the day would soon come when someone young, near and dear to me would be the victim of senseless gun violence and that reality hit on Tuesday. We have reached the breaking point as devastated families and survivors of gun violence plead for more youth and sports programming. As our city slowly reopens, our sons and nephews cannot continue to wait on the sidelines. We need to reimagine our programmatic approach while expanding the capacity of Cure Violence organizations to steer our youth away from a life of crime. Together, we must close the racial disparities in our schools and City services to address the digital, poverty, economic, and housing gaps that perpetuate the prevalence of violence. As we prepare to undertake FY22 budget negotiations with the Administration, my priority will remain the same — to push back against any cuts that will harm the growth and development of our youth who need our support now more than ever before. We need to shift funds from the school to prison pipeline and instead invest in summer youth employment, ensuring every household has access to mental health services and internet-enabled computers. We cannot continue to allow this city to fail our sons and brothers, young Black boys like Oliver. I am praying for his speedy recovery.

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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. 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.