Sent Via Email July 8, 2020 Donovan J. Richards, Chair Committee on Public Safety New York City Council 250 Broadway New York, NY 10007 Re: NYPD Police Property Seizure During the Recent Black Lives Matter Protests and COVID-19 Dear Chairman Richards and Public Safety Committee Members: The protests ignited by the murder of George Floyd…
New York State Attorney General Letitia James Virtual Public Hearing on Police/General Public Interactions During Recent Protests Wednesday, June 17, 2020 Written Testimony of The Bronx Defenders The Bronx Defenders (“BxD”) is a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system, and, in doing…
“Local running crews assemble at Poe Park in the Bronx for a Stronger Together running protest to motivate the community to help impact positive change and rally for social justice. Nova Church of Bronx Sole, running activist Power Malu, and the community of runners support one another, engage in dialogue and meet The Bronx Defenders,…
In the wake of protests and increased police violence and misconduct, as well as the ongoing difficulties and office/court closures due to COVID-19, we know that many have been harmed when police officers seize or even lose track of essential property such as phones, keys, wallets, medication, and transportation including bicycles, scooters and cars. If…
“Someone who commits a felony while on probation or parole can no longer be released automatically. The same goes for someone with at least two prior felony convictions who is arrested for a new felony. Scott Levy, chief policy counsel for Bronx Defenders, said that’s overly punitive. “What this really does is penalize and punish…
“Just six months ago, New York state eliminated cash bail for almost all offenses except violent felonies. But there was an immediate backlash after the NYPD claimed the crime rate was going up. There were also constant media reports about cases in which people were re-arrested after being released without bail, notably one involving a woman who punched Orthodox Jewish…
CONTACT Ryan Karerat, The Bronx Defenders (RKarerat@bronxdefenders.org) (NEW YORK, NY) – Justine Olderman, Executive Director of The Bronx Defenders, released the following statement in response to the budget deal reached between Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council: “As public defenders, the people and communities we serve have been plagued by…
“There are other just as nefarious, just as racially-biased practices that have filled the void. Unless you’re really going to start at the roots of the problem, you’re going to end up in the same place,” said Ann Mathews, managing director of the criminal defense practice for The Bronx Defenders, a city public defenders office….
“While the good news is that if arrests are down by roughly half in New York, then that means that only half as many African Americans are being arrested as well as for other racial groups, too.”But Ann Mathews of The Bronx Defenders said that while she welcomes police reform efforts, “what is clear is…
“Our Distinguished Leader awards recognize attorneys in leadership roles who achieved impressive results in the past year. Strong leaders are hard to come by, and we want to highlight lawyers who had great performances while demonstrating clear leadership skills leading to positive outcomes.” Read the full article here
“Host of OPEN BXRx, Sonyi Lopez, is joined by Deborah Lolai, member of LGBTQ Defense Project, Bronx Defenders, to discuss pride month & learn how the Bronx Defenders LGBTQ Defense Project is supporting the Bronx LGBTQ community.” Watch the full video here
“19 legal services organizations, including The Legal Aid Society and The Bronx Defenders, have expressed their opposition to reopening housing courts for public health and safety reasons. As for the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys – UAW Local 2325, Legal Services Staff Association, NOLSW/UAW 2320, and other legal services worker unions have all similarly expressed opposition…
June 26, 2020 Redmond Haskins, The Legal Aid Society (RHaskins@legal-aid.org) Jared Chausow, Brooklyn Defender Services (JChausow@bds.org) Esther Kao The Bronx Defenders (estherk@bronxdefenders.org) Lupe Todd-Medina, New York County Defender Services (LToddmedina@nycds.org) Sam McCann, The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (SMccann@ndsny.org) Lori Zeno, Queens Defenders (lzeno@queensdefenders.org) NYC Public Defenders Demand At Least $1 Billion Cut to NYPD…
June 26, 2020 Mayor Bill de Blasio City Hall New York, NY 10007 Via Email Speaker Corey Johnson City Hall New York, NY 10007 Via Email NYC Councilmembers 250 Broadway New York, NY 10007 Via Email Re: Cuts to NYPD Budget and Investing in Communities Dear Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, and City…
The Bronx Defenders, in collaboration with UCLA Law School’s COVID-19 Behind Bars Data Project, Columbia Law School’s Center for Institutional and Social Change, and Zealous, is proud to announce the launch of an electronic database of COVID-19 related materials designed to help lawyers, advocates, researchers, journalists, and others interested in challenging, remedying, or drawing attention…
“The contemporary bail-fund movement is largely a product of the last decade, and got its start in New York City. In 2007, Robin Steinberg and David Feige, of the Bronx Defenders, a groundbreaking public-defenders’ office, launched the Bronx Freedom Fund, to pay low-level bails for Bronx residents. Two years later, a judge ruled that the fund was…
“Rikers Island inmates have also not been allowed in-person visits with their lawyers since late March because of the pandemic, Ann H. Mathews, the Bronx Defenders’ Managing Director of Criminal Defense Practice, told Gothamist. While they have been allowed video conferences via a digital Skype-like interface, those sometimes take weeks to schedule. Besides, she emphasized,…
“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, low-income black and brown communities like the Bronx have been hit the hardest,” wrote Justine Olderman, Executive Director of Bronx Defenders, on a press release for the mixtape. “This is a community that depends heavily on public transportation, encompasses countless essential workers, and is over criminalized into a…
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*** Bronx Defenders Statement on DACA Decision June 18, 2020 CONTACT Ryan Karerat, The Bronx Defenders (RKarerat@bronxdefenders.org) (NEW YORK, NY) – Sarah Deri Oshiro, Managing Director of the Immigration Practice at The Bronx Defenders, issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision Thursday blocking the Trump Administration from ending the…
“Few and far between did you see white people being arraigned,” said Janie Williams, a criminal defense attorney with Bronx Defenders who offered aid to people as they left police custody in Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. “White people didn’t have to see the judges that much. It was Black and brown people who were…
“The NBPA says it will “deepen its commitment to social justice” by continuing its work with organizations like the Legal Defense Fund, Chicago Votes, Bronx Defenders, Brooklyn Defenders and National Museum of African American History and Culture while identifying others with a similar goal.” Read the full article here
“Earlier this month, the Giants, in a team-issued statement, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their alliances with organizations such as the Vera Institute of Justice, the Newark Bronze Shields, The Bronx Defenders, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, RISE and local law enforcement agencies.” Read the full article here
“The NBPA said in its release it will continue to match players’ philanthropic contributions to organizations focused on ending police brutality such as Legal Defense Fund, Chicago Votes, Bronx Defenders, Brooklyn Defenders, National Museum of African American History and Culture and more. “The NBPA will deepen its commitment to social justice by increasing our support for…
“We have always supported civil rights organizations like the Legal Defense Fund, Chicago Votes, Bronx Defenders, Brooklyn Defenders, National Museum of African American History and Culture and more. The NBPA will deepen its commitment to social justice by increasing our support for similar organizations that are focused on ending police brutality, addressing voter suppression and…
In the wake of protests and increased police violence and misconduct, we know that many have been harmed fighting for justice. If you have experienced abuse at the hands of the police, such as physical violence or the destruction of your property, filing a Notice of Claim is a step towards holding them accountable. What…