Press Releases

For immediate release: February 2, 2016

Ramarley Graham’s Family & Supporters Hold All-Night Vigil outside Department of Justice on 4th Anniversary of His Killing by NYPD

New Yorkers gather for justice outside Preet Bharara’s office for vigil that continues overnight to demand Bharara prosecute cops who killed Ramarley Graham
On the four year anniversary of Ramarley Graham’s killing by NYPD officers, his parents – Constance Malcolm and Frank Graham – were joined by the family members of other New Yorkers killed by the NYPD to demand accountability in the killing of Ramarley Graham. Along with community supporters and many other New Yorkers, they called on Preet Bharara and the U.S. Department of Justice to give the case equal priority to those pursued against public corruption, and to prosecute NYPD officer Richard Haste – who shot and killed Graham – and all the officers involved in the incident and aftermath on the scene.
For immediate release: February 2, 2016

On 4th Anniversary of NYPD Killing of Ramarley Graham, His Famiy & Supporters Demand Accountability and Justice from Mayor de Blasio, NYPD

Families of New Yorkers killed by NYPD stand together to call for officers who killed Graham to be fired & held accountable
On the four year anniversary of Ramarley Graham’s killing by NYPD officers, his parents – Constance Malcolm and Frank Graham – were joined by the mother of Eric Garner, Gwen Carr, and the family members of other New Yorkers killed by the NYPD to demand accountability in the killing of Ramarley Graham. Along with elected officials and community supporters, they called on Mayor de Blasio and his administration to take action to remove the officers from the NYPD.
For immediate release: February 1, 2016

Police Reform Campaign, NYC Organizations & National Homeless Advocates Call for Official Investigation into NYPD’s Policing of Homeless New Yorkers

Groups request NYPD Inspector General conduct formal review

Communities United for Police Reform – with support from over 50 local advocacy/community organizations and national homeless advocacy organizations – requested that NYPD Inspector General Philip Eure conduct an official investigation of the NYPD’s policing and treatment of homeless New Yorkers.

For immediate release: January 25, 2016

CPR Responds to NYC Council Summons Reform, Hearing

In response to a New York City Council hearing today on a package of legislation collectively called the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Monifa Bandele.

“The Council's summons reform is a positive first step to increase transparency and reduce the disproportionate legal consequences of low-level, non-criminal violations, though significant concerns and details must be addressed to avoid unintended negative impacts on New Yorkers, particularly low-income communities of color. It is also essential that the Council simultaneously advance front-end policing reforms, like the Right to Know Act, to end the policing abuses that make some New Yorkers and communities the disproportionate target of low-level enforcement in the first place.

For immediate release: January 14, 2016

NY Police Reform Campaign Responds to Gov. Cuomo’s Criminal Justice Proposals

Call Proposal to Replace Special Prosecutor a ‘Step Backwards’ & Urge Need for Comprehensive Data Reporting

In response to Governor Cuomo’s criminal justice proposals released after his State of the State and State Budget address, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from its Director of Organizing & Policy Michael Velarde.

For immediate release: January 12, 2016

Family of Ramarley Graham, Civil Rights Leaders & Elected Officials Call on Preet Bharara & DOJ to Act against Public Corruption in Police Killing

Over year after DOJ signaled full investigation into killing of unarmed 18-year-old Graham and near four years after killing, family and supporters demand case be given equal priority as Albany corruption

Over a year after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said it was undertaking a full investigation and more than two years since it first began reviewing the fatal police shooting of unarmed 18-year-old Ramarley Graham, his mother and father – Constance Malcolm and Franclot Graham – were joined by supporters to demand action and answers from U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

For immediate release: November 17, 2015

Police Reform Campaign Responds to NYPD Commissioner Bratton’s Attack on City Council Members Supporting Reform

In response to comments NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton made at a Harvard Club breakfast this morning, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Monifa Bandele.

“Democracy and legislative oversight may be inconvenient for Mr. Bratton’s dictatorial wants, but as the appointee of an elected official within that system of government he must respect them.

For immediate release: October 7, 2015

CPR Responds to CCRB Substantiating James Blake’s Complaint of Excessive Force

In response to reports that the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board substantiated James Blake’s complaint that a NYPD officer used excessive force, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Mark Winston-Griffith, executive director of Brooklyn Movement Center.

“This quick turnaround by the CCRB appears to be nearly unprecedented, and now the true mechanism of accountability awaits in how the NYPD disciplines Officer Frascatore. Everyday New Yorkers find themselves suffering the same abusive and violent experiences at the hands of the NYPD as James Blake, but their reality is not one where the mayor and police commissioner apologize and pledge to take swift action, and the CCRB acts in this timely of a manner.

For immediate release: October 1, 2015

CPR Responds to NYPD Inspector General Use of Force Report, NYPD Announcement

In response to the NYPD Inspector General releasing a report critical of NYPD use of force policies and the NYPD announcing patrol guide and reporting changes, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Priscilla Gonzalez.

“While the move towards NYPD patrol guide and reporting changes that increase the transparency surrounding use of force policies are a positive step, they will have little practical impact without fixing the department's failure to hold officers accountable in an adequate, timely fashion. NYPD reporting also needs to include reporting of disciplinary actions taken for use of force cases, not just those reported and substantiated by CCRB.

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