Read the letter from Commissioner Kelly to Speaker Quinn

“This morning, I received a reply from Commissioner Kelly detailing actions the NYPD is taking in response to my letter and calls from others seeking reforms to stop and frisk procedures. The Commissioner has announced changes to officer training, monitoring, supervision, transparency, and accountability.

“With these actions today, Commissioner Kelly and the NYPD are taking an important step forward however, more must be done to significantly reduce the number of stops and to bridge the divide between the NYPD and the communities they serve.

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“Today, Governor Cuomo has taken an enormous step forward to end the stigmatization of poverty.

Governor Cuomo’s announcement that food stamp applicants in New York City will no longer be subjected to finger imaging sends the clear message to the tens of thousands of qualified New Yorkers who have been deterred from applying for assistance that receiving food stamps does not make you a criminal.

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“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.

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“I want to thank NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous, Hazel Dukes, Reverend Al Sharpton and 1199 SEIU President George Gresham, Make the Road, the NYCLU, and others who have effectively raised concerns about the practice of stop and frisk and launched this important public discussion.

“I believe the present practice of stop and frisk is not working and is in need of significant reform.

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The Responsible Banking Act will bring together banks, communities and government to evaluate the banking needs of New Yorkers and their communities.

Council will also vote to override Mayoral veto of prevailing wage legislation and a resolution in support of raising the state’s minimum wage.

New York, NY- Today, the Council will vote on the Responsible Banking Act.

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Immigration Program to be Activated Citywide May 15th

City Hall – Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, together with Committee on Immigration Chair Council Member Daniel Dromm, Council Members Melissa Mark-Viverito, Ydanis Rodriguez and Helen Diane Foster, along with Make the Road New York, Chung Wha- Hong of the New York Immigration Coalition, Jose Calderon, President of the Hispanic Federation, and a number of immigrant advocates, gathered today to demand the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) halt the activation of Secure Communities in New York City until the program is significantly reformed.

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“Yesterday’s vote to ban same-sex marriage in North Carolina is a stark reminder of how far we still have to go in the fight for marriage equality. North Carolina’s refusal to recognize the civil rights of all people is unacceptable.

To the legislators in North Carolina who orchestrated this ban on our freedoms: we will overturn your decision.

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“This is an amazing day, our President coming out in support of marriage equality. President Obama’s declaration that marriage is a right for all people is an act of courage that will go down in history as the moment the tide changed for LGBT Americans.

When the President of the United States validates you, your family, your friends and your loved ones by saying that yes –

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Citywide Outreach Effort to Raise Community Awareness and Involvement
One Police Plaza, NY– Speaker Christine C. Quinn, New York City Police Department Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner, Yolanda B. Jimenez, George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company and Council Members gathered today to unveil a public service campaign that will focus on increasing reporting of domestic violence.

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“We’re thrilled an agreement has been reached between the Chelsea Hotel Tenants’ Association and its landlord to safely remove dangerous conditions from the building. For too long, this symbol of the West Side has been in a state of disrepair, endangering the health of all those who live inside. We rallied and demanded a plan of action for asbestos and mold abatement and now, we finally have it.

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