“Today’s decision to grant class-action status to the plaintiffs in the stop, question and frisk lawsuit is an important step towards systemic reform of this practice.

I am extremely gratified by Judge Shira Scheindlin’s decision. Furthermore, I am pleased the judge cited the amicus brief filed by the Council’s Black Latino and Asian Caucus in rejecting the NYPD’s argument that systemic reform is not possible.

I strongly believe that broad based reforms are needed in training, monitoring, supervision, transparency and accountability. These changes must occur as soon as possible to reduce the unacceptable number of stops and heal the divide between the NYPD and the communities they serve.

Today’s decision puts on a path to bring about these reforms more quickly.”

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