Press Releases

Mother of Kawaski Trawick, Community Groups and Elected Officials Demand Firing of Officers Who Killed Her Son

New York, New York -  Today, Ellen Trawick, mother of Kawaski Trawick, was joined by elected officials, community groups, and advocates from across the city to demand that Mayor Adams and Commissioner Caban take immediate action to ensure Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis are fired. Kawaski Trawick, a 32-year-old Black gay man, was cooking in his own Bronx apartment when officers Thompson and Davis broke the chain on his door, illegally entered his apartment, and then tased and shot him within 112 seconds in 2019.

Statement: Ellen Trawick, mother of Kawaski Trawick, Responds to Mayor Adams’ Refusal to Meet with Her Family Before Discipline Decision for Cops who Killed Her Son

Today, Mayor Adams held a media availability where he was asked for the second week in a row about the NYPD delays in turning over body camera footage, that blocked the CCRB from fully investigating the killing of Kawaski Trawick for 21 months. The mayor was also asked if he would accommodate Kawaski Trawick's family's demand to meet with them and their team before a final decision is made regarding discipline of the officers who killed Mr. Trawick in 2019.

Communities United for Police Reform Responds to NYPD Commissioner Announcement

In response to officer Edward Caban’s appointment as the new NYPD Commissioner, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) issued the following statement from CPR spokesperson Jose Lopez (he/him), Co-Executive Director of Make the Road NY and CPR Steering Committee Member.

Community Groups Thank 11 Council Members Who Stood With New Yorkers and Voted NO on the Mayor’s FY24 Budget

NEW YORK, NY - Following the budget vote today, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) and NYC Budget Justice campaign thank Council Members who stood with New Yorkers and voted NO on the Mayor’s FY24 Budget for failing to protect New York's most vulnerable communities and pumping money into an already bloated NYPD budget. CPR released the following statement from spokesperson James Innis, Public Safety Campaigner at New York Communities for Change.

Community Groups Criticize Mayor Adams’ City Budget and Call on Council Members to vote NO

NYC Budget Justice Campaign Calls on City Council to Reject the Mayor's FY24 Budget that includes Record High $12B+ in NYPD Spending

NEW YORK, NY - Following the budget handshake today, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) and NYC Budget Justice campaign criticized Mayor Adams’ FY24 New York City budget for failing to protect New York's most vulnerable communities and pumping money into an already bloated NYPD budget. CPR released the following statement from spokesperson Ileana Mendez-Penate (she/her).

45 advocacy organizations denounce Mayor Adams for policies and rhetoric that led to killing of Jordan Neely

On the heels of Daniel Penny indictment, sign-on letter details how the mayor can take accountability and prevent further atrocities through real care.

New York, NY -  Today, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) released a sign-on letter demanding comprehensive accountability for the killing of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old Black man and former Michael Jackson impersonator, who was choked to death on a crowded NYC subway on May 1 by another passenger, Daniel Penny, a white ex-Marine. The letter, which was delivered to the mayor this afternoon, is an effort to put an end to the perpetual violence against communities in need and a demand that Mayor Adams stop stoking the heigh

Communities United for Police Reform Responds to NYPD Commissioner Sewell's Resignation

In response to yesterday’s announcement that NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell is resigning, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) issued the following statement from CPR spokesperson Loyda Colon (they/them), Executive Director of the Justice Committee: “NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell and Mayor Adams made repeated early promises to better care for and protect New Yorkers, including ensuring meaningful police accountability. By this measure, and by many, many more,  Sewell’s tenure and Adams’ approach to public safety have been abject failures.  Under Sewell and Adams’ watch, the NYPD has been more consistently violent and hyper-aggressive and less accountable than at any time since Giuliani was mayor.

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