Category Archives: Articles

Join an informed campaign to end police violence.

Americans have watched the Black Lives Matter movement unfold in response to cases of police violence and unequal justice outcomes across the nation. As the movement gains prominence, some voices have questioned its motives, demanding that its purpose be made clear. Now a number of activists, working with the Center for Popular Democracy and President Obama’s DoJ Task Force on 21st Century Policing, have released a set of clear and detailed policy goals.

Their findings help us grasp the extent of the problem: out of 1,100 deaths by police hands in 2014, a large majority were of unarmed citizens. Many occurred during stops for minor offenses or routine traffic violations. Far too many were of people in need of mental health resources. While unnecessary police violence undermines all our civil liberties, this violence falls disproportionately on black Americans, who already bear the overwhelming, daily force of the historical racism embedded in our nation.

In addition to policy recommendations, Campaign Zero provides guidance on implementing change at the local, state, and federal level, while encouraging feedback and suggestions. The Campaign is also tracking presidential candidates to determine who’s listening.

We applaud the activists’ coordinated, data-driven approach, endorse the policy recommendations below, and commit to advocating for implementation here in New York City. You can, too. More detailed information can be found at Campaign Zero.

End “Broken Windows”

End Policing of Minor “Broken Windows” Offenses
End Profiling and “Stop-and-Frisk”
Establish Alternative Approaches to Mental Health Crises

Community Oversight

Establish effective civilian oversight structures
Remove barriers to reporting police misconduct

Limit Use of Force

Establish standards and reporting of police use of deadly force
End traffic-related police killings and dangerous high-speed police chases
Revise and strengthen local police department use of force policies
Monitor how police use force and proactively hold officers accountable for excessive force

Independently Investigate & Prosecute

Lower the standard of proof for Department of Justice civil rights investigations of police officers
Use federal funds to encourage independent investigations and prosecutions
Establish a permanent Special Prosecutor’s Office at the State level for cases of police violence
Require independent investigations of all cases where police kill or seriously injure civilians

Community Representation

Increase the number of police officers who reflect the communities they serve
Use community feedback to inform police department policies and practices

Body Cameras

Body cameras
The Right to Record Police

Training

Invest in Rigorous and Sustained Training
Intentionally consider ‘unconscious’ or ‘implicit’ racial bias

End For-Profit Policing

End police department quotas for tickets and arrests
Limit fines and fees for low-income people
Prevent police from taking the money or property of innocent people

Demilitarization

End the Federal Government’s 1033 Program Providing Military Weaponry to Local Police Departments
Establish Local Restrictions to Prevent Police Departments from Purchasing or Using Military Weaponry

*Policy solutions graphic courtesy of Campaign Zero

On Endorsements and Priorities

As we move toward the 2016 presidential election, we’re often asked to commit to candidates and engage in campaigns. We think it’s important to state our position:

Greater NYC for Change is an issue-based, grassroots organization focused on promoting everyday social and political change. While we have always supported candidates who share our commitment to progressive change, we do not issue formal endorsements, nor do we actively engage in primary elections. Individual members of our organization are, of course, able to support candidates of their choice, but such support should not be seen as representative of the organization as a whole.

We look forward to a robust debate of ideas that will sharpen positions and produce more effective national candidates in 2016.

Meanwhile, we’ll be working at city and state levels on the issues that matter to us:

The Fight for $15 and a union. A real living wage.
Reducing income inequality.
Ending the influence of accumulated power and wealth in elections.
Concrete solutions to a looming climate crisis.
Full funding for public eduction.
Affordable and supportive housing.
Passing GENDA and insuring statewide rights for trans people.
Campaign Zero.
Prison reform- and clemency for the many who deserve a second chance.
Recognizing and dismantling our nation’s systemic racism. #BlackLivesMatter.

No critically ill patient in New York State should suffer needlessly from lack of medical access.

This Tuesday, April 28th will mark the 298th day since New York’s medical marijuana bill was signed into law. But not one patient has yet received medication.

That’s wrong–and dangerous, too, since many people, including children with violent seizures, are dying or suffering without the medical aid a simple plant now safely and legally available can provide.

We’re asking you to join Greater NYC for Change and our colleagues inCompassionate Care NY in demanding emergency access to medical marijuana this Tuesday, April 28th. CCNY is a statewide group of patients, providers, and organizations working together to relieve the suffering of thousands of seriously ill New Yorkers by establishing a carefully regulated medical marijuana program in New York. While that program is developed and implemented, we need your help.

Here’s what you can do this Tuesday:

In New York City: Call the State Legislature in Support of Emergency Medical Marijuana Access! Tell leadership and your local state representatives that New Yorkers suffering from life-threatening or terminal illness shouldn’t have to wait until the full medical marijuana program is implemented. Call the legislators below–and then tell your friends and family members to do the same.

Governor Andrew Cuomo (518) 474-8390
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (518) 455-3171
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (518) 455-4800
Chair of Senate Health Committee Kemp Hannon (518) 455-2200
Your local state senator and assembly member

In Albany: Take Part in Advocacy Day and a Press Conference in Support of Emergency Medical Marijuana Access at the State Capitol, 10 AM – 4 PM! Lawmakers in Albany need to hear from New Yorkers who care about medical marijuana. Join in a press conference and meetings with legislators to explain the urgent need for emergency access for critically ill patients and to voice your concerns with the limitations of the medical marijuana program being implemented by the Cuomo Administration. Experienced advocates will show the ropes to those new to advocacy. RSVP to VOCAL-NY Statewide Community Organizer (and GNYCFC Advisory Board member) Anna Saini.

Your calls take only minutes. Stand up for New Yorkers in need now!

This Year in Albany Budgeting

Photo credit: Gili Getz

At 2:50 am on Wednesday, April 1st, the New York State Legislature approved yet another budget. And, just like in years past, there were some victories for progressive advocates, but also plenty of disappointments.

THE GOOD

This year’s budget includes $100 million in capital funds for NYCHA public housing improvements, as well as $4.5 million for new beds at youth homeless shelters. (Thank you, Miley Cyrus!)

The budget includes another $1.6 billion in education funding, including full funding of New York City’s universal pre-K. According to the New York Times, however, that funding is tied to major education reforms, “including changes to the teacher evaluation system, bonuses for high-performing teachers, and expedited procedures to remove teachers.”

THE BAD

Once again, the budget did not include funding for the DREAM Act, a devastating blow to immigration advocates and the thousands of undocumented children living in New York City. Low-wage workers were also left out in the cold, with no increase in the state minimum wage.

While some ethics reform provisions were included (such as mandatory reporting of outside income and stricter per diem regulations), there was no major campaign finance reform, nor did the legislature close the LLC loophole that allows wealthy corporations to skirt campaign contribution limits.

THE WTF?

Finally, according to the Times, “[t]hough the word “yacht” is never used, the budget contains a tax break for anyone in the market for a “vessel” valued at more than $230,000.” That’s right–if you’re an undocumented immigrant or a low-wage worker, you’re out of luck. But if you’re thinking about buying a yacht, no problem!

There’s still time left in the legislative session, and time for the Senate and the Assembly to take up these issues, though the chances of any major progressive victories in the next two months are slim with a Republican-led Senate.

But there is no rest for the weary: there will be a major battle coming up over New York City’s rent regulations, which are set to expire in June. Greater NYC for Change is committed to renewing and strengthening our rent laws, and we’ll be working with other advocates to lobby the legislature to protect tenants. We’ll also continue our efforts to increase the minimum wage and push for more transparency in campaign finance. We hope you’ll join us!

Women lead. Don’t be left behind!

Winning: It’s a woman thing.

Join us March 26th at Civic Hall – the new, beautiful co-working space for civic tech – for an evening of workshops and an engaging panel of women leaders.

Too often, women don’t see themselves running for office. Our speakers didn’t wait:Jane Swift, former Governor of Massachusetts, ran for State Senate (and won) at 25. State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic was elected at only 27.

Women Lead is an intensive evening that includes women who have run for office, are in office, and are leaders in the political arena. We have teamed up with groups across the city to bring you a power-packed night with first-hand stories, practical tools and skills, and a great new space to network. After the panel, attendees will join breakout workshops on press/media, digital organizing, fundraising, and more.

Check out the full list of speakers below:

Jane Swift, Former Governor of Massachusetts
State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, New York’s 25th District
City Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal, New York City’s 6th District
Nomiki Konst, Founder and President of The Accountability Project
and former Congressional candidate in Arizona
District Leader Jenifer Rajkumar, Lower East Side
Moderated by Heidi Sieck, Chief Operating Officer, Civic Hall

This event is organized with VoteRunLead, Veracity Media, Civic Hall, Republican Majority for Choice, Women’s Information Network NYC (WIN NYC), Greater NYC for Change, Roosevelt Institute Campus Network, Emerge America, She Should Run, Rising Stars, and Manhattan Young Democrats.

It’s Getting Warmer

Climate Change is Here.

Superstorm Sandy left an indelible mark on our city, our neighbors, and our lives.

Yet, in the months since, as the waters receded, homes were rebuilt, and we returned to our daily routines, its warnings of the devastating impacts of our warming climate were often forgotten or pushed to the back of our minds as more immediate needs overtook us.

Neglected or ignored, climate change is still here, and we still must take drastic steps to avert more severe and frequent local and global impacts. This is why the next Global Climate Summit to be held in Paris in December 2015 is so crucial to achieving international consensus and finding a path forward to lowering our reliance on fossil fuels.

Our friends at 350NYC have organized a timely panel discussion titled “Countdown to Paris: Update on Global Climate Treaty Negotiations.” The panelists include:

Jeffrey Salim Waheed, Deputy Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations
Reinhard Krapp, Minister, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations
Tamar Lawrence-Samuel, Associate Research Director at Corporate Accountability International
Sean Sweeney, Trade Unions for Energy Democracy
Helen Rosenthal, Council Member for District 6 in the New York City Council

Come hear about the progress already made toward a treaty, what’s left to do, and what we can realistically expect from the negotiations this December.

When: Thursday, March 19th, 7 to 9 pm
Where: New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 West 64th Street at Central Park West