Press Releases

For immediate release: November 6, 2013

City Leaders and Residents Call on Bloomberg Administration and City to Drop Appeal, Stop Delay of Stop-and-Frisk Reforms

Following sweeping election of new leadership with clear platform of stop-and-frisk reform, group emphasizes continued harm delay has on communities; After voters reject Bloomberg policy, New Yorkers express support for turning page on counterproductive and divisive leadership and policies

On the day after New York City voters elected new leadership, city leaders and residents united on the steps of City Hall to call on the Bloomberg administration to end its fight against stop-and-frisk reforms and civil rights protections. Specifically, the group called on the administration to drop its appeal to a Federal court decision ruling its stop-and-frisk policy unconstitutional and its lawsuit to overturn a recently-passed anti-profiling law.

For immediate release: October 31, 2013

CPR Statement: Re: Federal appeals court blocking decision on stop-and-frisk and delaying remedies

In response to a federal appeals court granting a stay in the decision ruling the Bloomberg administration’s stop-and-frisk policy unconstitutional, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Joo-Hyun Kang.

For immediate release: October 29, 2013

CPR Statement: Re: Commissioner Ray Kelly being booed off stage at Brown University

“It’s not shocking that after directing policing that violates New Yorkers’ civil rights and the U.S. Constitution without any remorse that Commissioner Kelly would be poorly received – and it’s unfortunate that New York City has become known for political and police leadership that defends discriminatory and abusive policing, and seeks to fight accountability.

For immediate release: October 7, 2013

Community, Faith, Labor, and Law Enforcement Groups, City Officials Speak Out at City Hall to Support Court’s Orders in Stop-and-Frisk Lawsuit, Oppose Delays Sought by Bloomberg Administration

Today, ­­­ the coalition Communities United for Police Reform and representatives from community, faith, labor, and law enforcement groups joined City officials, attorneys from the Center for Constitutional Rights and co-counsel to voice support for moving forward with the remedial process ordered by the court in the landmark class action lawsuit Floyd, et al. v. City of New York, et al.

For immediate release: August 28, 2013

CPR Statement Re: 2013 2nd Quarter Data Showing Decline in Stop-and-Frisk

"Once again, the NYPD’s own data shows there is no correlation between the Bloomberg administration’s unconstitutional stop-and-frisk policy and violence prevention in New York City. As the use of stop-and-frisk declined 57% from the same quarter a year ago, murders simultaneously decreased 27 percent, completely debunking Mayor Bloomberg’s inaccurate rhetoric.

For immediate release: August 22, 2013

Council Members, Civil Rights Groups & New Yorkers Support Override of Bloomberg Vetoes of Community Safety Act

Following federal court decision, New Yorkers demand historic reforms to enforce profiling ban, extend protections for LGBTQ & immigrants; less than week away from 50th anniversary of March on Washington, leaders call for enactment of civil rights legislation to protect New Yorkers

Today, Council Members Brad Lander and Jumaane Williams, their colleagues, Communities United for Police Reform, civil rights and labor leaders, and New Yorkers held a press conference to express their support for a City Council override of Mayor Bloomberg’s veto of the Community Safety Act.

For immediate release: August 22, 2013

CPR Statement Re: Council Override of Mayor Bloomberg’s Vetoes of Community Safety Act

Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) released the following statement today from spokesperson Joo-Hyun Kang in response to the City Council’s vote to override Mayor Bloomberg’s vetoes of the Community Safety Act legislation to ban discriminatory profiling and establish independent oversight of the NYPD.

“Today is a victory for civil rights, safety and the people of our great city, whose voices have been heard. New Yorkers want to live in a city where equality and justice matter and today’s vote confirms those are the foundation of our city's values. We’re proud of council members who stood up for the people of New York City today and were national leaders in meeting President Obama’s challenge to ensure government policies prohibit profiling.

For immediate release: August 16, 2013

Statement from CPR & Public Housing Advocates Re: Mayor Bloomberg’s Comments on the Fingerprinting of Public Housing Residents

In response to Mayor Bloomberg saying public housing residents should all be fingerprinted to enter their homes, Communities United for Police Reform and several public housing advocates released the following statements.

“Mayor Bloomberg’s comments about fingerprinting people entering NYCHA buildings is highly insulting, and his insistence that some people in the city do not deserve the same level of civil rights as others unfortunately no longer comes as a shock,” said Joo-Hyun Kang of Communities United for Police Reform.

For immediate release: July 24, 2013

New Yorkers Denounce Bloomberg for Being Out of Touch on Racial Profiling and Civil Rights

As national dialogue focuses on the dangers of racial profiling, Bloomberg vetoes bill to prohibit profiling in NYC; Council members and New Yorkers express support for override of mayor’s veto on Community Safety Act

Today, Communities United for Police Reform joined council members, civil rights leaders, and New Yorkers opposed to racial profiling to denounce Mayor Bloomberg for vetoing the Community Safety Act and expressed support for council members’ plan to override his veto.

For immediate release: July 23, 2013

Council Members, Advocates Call on Bloomberg to Listen to President Obama’s Appeal on Racial Profiling

Obama’s recent comments referred to support of racial profiling bill as state senator in Illinois – similar to NYC bill; Advocates launch petition by music artist Talib Kweli in support of ending racial profiling by police in NYC and Council bill

Today, Council Members Jumaane Williams and Brad Lander and Communities United for Police Reform called on Mayor Bloomberg to acknowledge the national conversation and President Obama’s statement on racial profiling.

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