Press Releases

For immediate release: April 24, 2024

Communities United for Police Reform Responds to Mayor Adams’ Executive Budget

Today, in response to the release of Mayor Adams’ executive budget, Communities United for Police issued the following statement from CPR spokesperson Hassen Bashir, Civil Rights and Campaign Coordinator with VOCAL-NY:  "The mayor's proposed budget undermines public safety by failing to invest adequately in infrastructure and programs that help keep New Yorkers safe. Instead of addressing the city's most pressing issues such as increased homelessness, fully funding our schools and youth, and lack of mental health infrastructure and services, the mayor is proposing an unjustified & dangerous expansion of the NYPD's already over-sized budget.
For immediate release: April 24, 2024

Mayor Adams' Ouster of NYPD Oversight Chair a Dangerous Step Away from Police Accountability, Communities United for Police Reform Says

In response to reports that Civilian Complaint Review Board Interim Chairwoman Arva Rice  will step down at the direction of Mayor Eric Adams, Sala Cyril, an organizer with the Malcom X Grassroots Movement issued the following statement on behalf of Communities United for Police Reform.
For immediate release: April 16, 2024

New Yorkers Express Outrage over Kawaski Trawick Decision, Rally to Prevent More Killings by NYPD

In light of Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Cabán’s decision not to fire NYPD officers who killed Kawaski Trawick, New Yorkers rallied to prevent future killings.
– The family of 19-year-old Win Rozario, killed by the NYPD in March, joined the rally – 

 

Today, families of New Yorkers killed by the NYPD, youth and racial justice organizations, elected officials and others rallied at Foley Square – outraged by the recent decision not to discipline either officer who killed 32-year-old Kawaski Trawick– and demanded immediate changes to reduce the NYPD’s outsized power and prevent

For immediate release: April 15, 2024

Family, Advocates & Elected Officials Express Outrage at Decision Not to Fire Officers Who Killed Kawaski Trawick in His Own Home

Demand Answers Regarding Reports of Retirement of One Cop before Discipline Decision & reforms to prevent future cover-ups and delays in discipline of NYPD who kill

Today, Justice Committee, Communities United

For immediate release: April 12, 2024

Family of Kawaski Trawick Outraged by Decision Not to Fire Officers Who Killed Him

In response to Commissioner Cabán’s decision not to fire the NYPD Officers who killed Kawaski Trawick, a Black gay man in his own home, Mrs. Ellen and Mr. Rickie Trawick, parents of Kawaski Trawick, Loyda Colon, Executive Director of Justice Committee and CPR spokesperson and others issued the following statements.
For immediate release: April 10, 2024

Marking Five Years Since Kawaski Trawick Was Killed by Police:

Elected Officials and Racial Justice Groups Rally to Demand An End to Delays 

& the Firing of Officers Who Killed Him

 

Today–nearly five years to the day that Kawaski Trawick, a Black gay man killed by the NYPD in his own home – Kawaski’s family, racial justice organizations, and elected officials rallied on the steps of City Hall to demand Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Cabán end their delays and finally fire NYPD Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis for killing Mr. Trawick on the night of April 14, 2019. 
For immediate release: April 1, 2024

Communities United for Police Reform Responds to City Council’s FY25 Budget Announcement

In response to the City Council’s preliminary budget announcement, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) issued the following statement from CPR spokesperson Donavon Taveras, Lead Organizer with El Puente.
For immediate release: March 28, 2024

Mayor’s SCOUT Teams Slammed by Communities United for Police Reform

In response to Mayor Adams announcement that he will be expanding the Street Conditions Observation Unit Team (SCOUT), Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) issued the following statement from CPR spokesperson Hassen Bashir from VOCAL-NY.

For immediate release: March 20, 2024

Mayor’s Reckless Budget Proposal Harms New Yorkers

CPR calls for 50% cut to NYPD’s press and communications budget, amongst other budget demands

 

Today, marked the New York City Council FY25 Preliminary Budget Hearing on Public Safety. As part of their campaign for budget justice, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) members and partners offered testimony calling for specific cuts to the NYPD budget to improve the safety and health of all New Yorkers. Those testifying in-person or in writing included: Divad Durant and Merope Peponides from the Justice Committee, Obi Afriye from Legal Defense Fund, Isabelle Leyva from New York Civil Liberties Union, and CPR’s Program Director Ileana Mendez-Peñate. 

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