Press Releases

For immediate release: March 4, 2020

Family of Antonio Williams, Man Killed by NYPD, Sues City of New York, Seeking Unedited Police Video and Other Records that May Explain His Wrongful Death

New York, NY— Today, the family of Antonio Williams, a man killed by the NYPD in September 2019, filed a special proceeding in New York State Supreme Court against the city, arguing that Williams’ wrongful death was caused by negligence and violation of his civil rights during a suspicious stop by the NYPD.
 

For immediate release: March 4, 2020

Police Accountability Advocates and NYC Council Members Call to Defund NYPD’s Role in Homelessness, Mental Health, Other Social Service Areas

New York – Today, at City Hall, members and leaders of Communities United for Police Reform (CPR), along with New York City Council Members and families whose loved ones have been killed by police officers, called for defunding the NYPD’s role in city government responses to homelessness, mental health, emotional distress,

For immediate release: January 28, 2020

Communities United for Police Reform responds to the Police Benevolent Association’s Lawsuit announced today

In response to the Police Benevolent Association’s lawsuit announced today in attempt to remove the Civilian Complaint Review Board’s (CCRB) charter amendments, Communities United for Police Reform has released the following statement from spokesperson Carolyn Martinez-Class:

For immediate release: January 8, 2020

Communities United for Police Reform responds to Governor Cuomo's State of the State and failure to address police violence

In response to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2020 State of The State address, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement, which can be attributed to spokesperson Nahal Zamani:

"We’re disappointed in Governor Cuomo’s failure to address reducing police violence and improving police accountability and transparency in New York State.

For immediate release: January 7, 2020

Civil rights, good government and community groups call on Governor Cuomo to promote police transparency and accountability through full repeal of police secrecy law 50-a

In a letter to Governor Cuomo, sixty-four civil rights, good government and community organizations from across the state of New York are calling for a full, statewide repeal of New York’s Section 50-a, a counterproductive provision in state law that protects police secrecy, including in cases of misconduct and abuse.  A full repeal of 50-a will increase the transparency of police misconduct and allow communities timely access to important misconduct and discipline records ac

For immediate release: January 5, 2020

Retired Albany Police Chief Calls For Repeal of Police Secrecy Law

Retired Chief Brendan Cox: “Repealing New York’s 50-a law is a critical step to protect the public safety of all New Yorkers.”

On the eve of the 2020 legislative session, retired Albany Chief of Police Brendan Cox took to the pages of the Albany Times Union today to call for the repeal of New York State’s police secrecy law, Section 50-a, which hides police misconduct and abuse records from the public. Cox argued that overturning the law is a “practical solution” that will help restore trust between police departments and the communities they serve.

For immediate release: December 18, 2019

CPR Slams MTA for Approving Budget to Hire 500 New Police

New York, NY - In response to today’s news that the MTA board approved the hiring of 500 new MTA police for NYC transit, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) released the following statement from spokesperson Anthonine Pierre (pronouns: she/her):
For immediate release: December 13, 2019

Family of 27-Year-Old Antonio Williams, Killed by NYPD, Slams Mayor and NYPD for Refusing Access to Unedited Police Body Camera Footage in Major Test of NYPD's Body Camera Policy

Father and Stepmother of Antonio Williams Respond to NYPD's Selective Release of Body Camera Footage

NEW YORK, NY – Today, Antonio Williams’ father, stepmother and brother – joined by elected officials and police accountability advocates – rallied in front of NYPD headquarters to protest Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD’s refusal to provide Williams’ family with full access to unedited police body camera footage of the September 29th Bronx police

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