Press Releases

For immediate release: May 14, 2019

Police Accountability Advocates: At Pantaleo Trial Today, NYPD Inspector Confirmed that a Prohibited Chokehold Was Used to Kill Eric Garner

New York, NY – Police accountability organizers present at NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo’s trial today said testimony from a key NYPD witness confirmed that a chokehold unequivocally prohibited by the NYPD for over 20 years was used to kill Eric Garner.

“Pantaleo’s entire legal defense was discredited today by NYPD Inspector Dee. Pantaleo’s lawyers have been falsely claiming that Pantaleo didn't use a chokehold when he killed Eric Garner. But as the NYPD Inspector noted today in trial, not only were chokeholds banned without exception at the time Eric was choked and killed, so-called "seatbelt maneuvers" were not even taught when Pantaleo was in the police academy, or when he went through plainclothes officer training,” said Loyda Colon, Co-Director of the Justice Committee and a spokesperson for Communities United for Police Reform (CPR).

For immediate release: May 13, 2019

“I’m Tired of the Lies. We All Saw the Truth On Video”: In New Statement, Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s Mother, Reacts to First Day of Pantaleo's Trial

New York, NY – Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s mother, released the following statement after experiencing the first day of the NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo’s trial for killing Garner: 

“Today was very hard. My family and I had to sit through Pantaleo's attorneys try to blame my son Eric Garner for his own murder.  I'm tired of the lies and misdirection from Daniel Pantaleo’s lawyers. Today we heard the truth - my son was murdered during an illegal arrest. He had just broken up a fight. The police who claim he was selling loosies have been lying all along, just like we've said. They can call Pantaleo's chokehold whatever fancy term they want to try to confuse people; it doesn't matter – because the facts and the video speak for themselves,” said Ms. Carr.

For immediate release: May 10, 2019

Police Accountability Advocates Slam PBA for Misleading Interpretation of Legal Ruling This Week that Allows the Trial of NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo to Proceed

New York –  Today, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) slammed the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) for their misleading interpretation of NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Trials Rosemarie Maldonado's ruling on their last-minute motion to dismiss or narrow charges against Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the disciplinary trial, set to begin on Monday, May 13, 2019.

For immediate release: May 6, 2019

Police Accountability Advocates Condemn Harmful S335 Bill Voted Out of State Senate Codes Committee Today

Bill undermines hate crimes legislation, racial justice and police accountability efforts, advocates warn

Albany, NY – Today, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR), racial justice, LGBT, police accountability and other progressive advocacy groups condemned a State Senate bill that seeks to undermine New York state’s hate crimes law. 

For immediate release: May 2, 2019

“These Stunts Are Harming My Family and the City”: In Forceful Statement, Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s Mother, Condemns Daniel Pantaleo’s Lawyers for Trying to Block His Upcoming Trial, and Help Him Avoid Accountability for Killing Garner

New York, NY – Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s mother, released the statement below after today's NYPD hearing ahead of the upcoming disciplinary trial of NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo for killing Garner. 

At the hearing earlier today, Pantaleo’s police union attorneys engaged in another round of desperate stunts to try to delay the trial, help Pantaleo avoid accountability for his role in Garner’s death, and to attempt to set harmful precedents seeking to limit discipline against NYPD officers. Ms. Carr fired back at these last-minute legal maneuvers in a statement.

“I’m outraged, and I’m in pain. My family and I have been fighting for nearly five years to get any justice or accountability for Eric’s death. It’s time for Pat Lynch, Daniel Pantaleo’s police union lawyers, and the PBA to stop playing games and using dirty tricks to try to delay the upcoming trial where Pantaleo must be held accountable for killing my son Eric,” said Ms. Carr.

For immediate release: April 29, 2019

At City Hall, Police Accountability Advocates and NYC Council Members Condemn NYPD for Violating Key Provisions of the Right to Know Act

New York – Today, members of Communities United for Police Reform, police reform advocates, and New York City Council Members held a press conference at City Hall to condemn the NYPD for violating and undermining key provisions of the Right to Know Act, a package

For immediate release: April 9, 2019

Large Coalition Tells Governor Cuomo and State Legislature: Criminal Justice Reform Requires Passage of the Safer NY Act and Full Repeal of 50-a, New York’s Harmful Police Secrecy Law

Albany, NY – Today, a coalition of more than ninety organizations from across New York called on Governor Cuomo and the state legislature to pass the Safer NY Act, a legislative package that includes a bill to repeal 50-a, New York’s harmful police secrecy law. 

For immediate release: April 3, 2019

Ahead of the One-Year Anniversary of Saheed Vassell’s Death, Elected Officials, Police Accountability Advocates, and Family Members Demand Real Accountability for NYPD Officers Who Killed Him

New York – Today, at City Hall, elected officials, police accountability advocates, and members of the Vassell family gathered to demand real accountability for NYPD officers who killed Saheed Vassell in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. This news event commemorated the one-year anniversary of Saheed’s death. On April 4, 2018, Saheed Vassell was killed by NYPD Strategic Response Group and plainclothes officers in broad daylight - in a hail of 10 bullets, on the 50th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination.

For immediate release: March 29, 2019

Eric Vassell, Father of Saheed Vassell, Disappointed That Attorney General Letitia James Will Not Seek Indictments and Prosecutions of NYPD Officers Who Killed His Son Last Year

New York – Today, Eric Vassell, the father of Saheed Vassell, released the following statement in response to New York State Attorney General Letitia James' decision not to seek indictments and prosecutions of NYPD officers who killed his son last year in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

His statement today comes on the heels of a meeting Mr. Vassell had with the Attorney General's officer earlier today in Lower Manhattan about his son’s case.

For immediate release: March 21, 2019

At City Hall Thursday, Police Reform Groups, Jumaane Williams, Elected Officials, and Families Impacted by Police Violence Called for Passage of the Safer NY Act and Repeal of 50-a, New York’s Harmful Police Secrecy Law

New York, NY — Today, at City Hall, police reform groups, elected officials, and families impacted by police violence held a press conference and rally calling on the state legislature and Governor Cuomo to pass the Safer NY Act and repeal 50-a, New York’s harmful police secrecy law. 

The Safer NY Act is a package of state bills that would ensure criminal justice reform also increases police transparency and accountability, and enhances public safety in communities across New York.  

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