Mariah McGough

City Limits: Decade-Long Fight to Decriminalize Syringe Possession in NY Awaits New Gov’s Signature

In the News / By

“We were finally able to get it through the Assembly and the Senate,” said Biz Berthy, drug policy campaign coordinator for the advocacy group Vocal-NY, who said the state syringe possession law demonstrates the “massive inconsistencies between the penal code and the health code.” Prior versions of the bill were introduced during each legislative session dating back to 2015, but never managed to pass.

City Limits: Decade-Long Fight to Decriminalize Syringe Possession in NY Awaits New Gov’s Signature Read More »

Democrat & Chronicle: ‘Housing is a human right!’ Roc City-Wide Tenant Union, supporters rally for local reforms

In the News / By

Breyana Clark of Vocal-NY spoke in support of the union and of the bill.

“Prioritizing the Black mother’s experience is what will begin to lift us out of this housing crises,” she said. “We prioritize the Black mother’s experience by passing the good cause protection. Our current housing practices breed nothing but gentrification and pushes our people further into poverty.”

Democrat & Chronicle: ‘Housing is a human right!’ Roc City-Wide Tenant Union, supporters rally for local reforms Read More »

Capitol PressRoom: Harm reduction activists provide Hochul with drug policy roadmap

In the News / By

After years of being unsatisfied by the policy choices and priorities of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, VOCAL-NY is hopeful that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration will emphasize data-backed decisions when it comes to New York’s drug policies, including embracing harm reduction strategies.

Capitol PressRoom: Harm reduction activists provide Hochul with drug policy roadmap Read More »

On International Overdose Awareness Day, Lawmakers and Community Members Demand Action on New York’s Preventable Overdose Crisis

Press Statements / By

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, August 31, 2021 CONTACT Jasmine Budnella, jasmine@vocal-ny.org, 720480-5262 Mariah McGough, Mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203-470-9979 ON INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY, LAWMAKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS DEMAND ACTION ON NEW YORK’S PREVENTABLE OVERDOSE CRISIS New Yorkers Joined People Across the Globe Today to Honor Those Lost to Preventable Overdose By Demanding Action  See VOCAL-NY’s Drug Policy

On International Overdose Awareness Day, Lawmakers and Community Members Demand Action on New York’s Preventable Overdose Crisis Read More »

Filter: On International Overdose Awareness Day, New Yorkers’ Demands Are Clear

In the News / By

“I remember when we were losing someone every three hours to overdose. Then it was five. Then it was three. Now we’re losing someone every hour and 48 minutes,” Marilyn Reyes, a community leader with VOCAL-NY User’s Union and co-director of Peer Network of New York, told Filter. “It’s horrifying.”

Now, newly inaugurated Governor Kathy Hochul has the opportunity to immediately begin addressing the harms perpetuated by Cuomo’s administration, and to usher in a new era of healing for marginalized New Yorkers.

Filter: On International Overdose Awareness Day, New Yorkers’ Demands Are Clear Read More »

There is No Time Left: Governor Hochul Must Lead on Ending the Overdose Crisis in New York in First 45 Days

Press Statements / By

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, August 25, 2021 CONTACT Jasmine Budnella, jasmine@vocal-ny.org, 720-480-5262 Mariah McGough, Mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203-470-9979 THERE IS NO TIME LEFT: GOVERNOR HOCHUL MUST LEAD ON ENDING THE OVERDOSE CRISIS IN NEW YORK IN FIRST 45 DAYS VOCAL-NY is Releasing a Drug Policy Roadmap for Governor Hochul’s 45 Days in Office Over 31,000 New Yorkers

There is No Time Left: Governor Hochul Must Lead on Ending the Overdose Crisis in New York in First 45 Days Read More »

Hochul has Chance to Right Cuomo’s Wrongs on Overdose Crisis

Press Statements / By

Following Governor Cuomo’s resignation, Lt. Governor Hochul has an urgent, historic opportunity to save lives from the worsening overdose crisis and reverse the devastation caused by her predecessor. After years of grassroots organizing, Hochul will have a package of legislation available for her to sign that would all go towards preventing overdoses: S1795/A533 – Medication-Assisted

Hochul has Chance to Right Cuomo’s Wrongs on Overdose Crisis Read More »

VOCAL-NY APPLAUDS ALBANY COMMON COUNCIL’S PASSAGE OF ‘GOOD CAUSE’ EVICTION BILL

Press Statements / By

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2021 CONTACT Luke Grandis, Luke@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY Applauds Albany Common Council’s Passage of “Good Cause’ Eviction Bill Under Good Cause Measure Landlords are Prohibited From Evicting Tenants Based on Discriminatory Reasons ALBANY, N.Y. — The Albany chapter of VOCAL-NY applauds the Albany Common Council for passing legislation to require landlords have

VOCAL-NY APPLAUDS ALBANY COMMON COUNCIL’S PASSAGE OF ‘GOOD CAUSE’ EVICTION BILL Read More »

New York Focus: A Wave of Upstate Cities Could Ban Eviction Without “Good Cause”

In the News / By

Smith, a statewide organizer with the advocacy group VOCAL-NY since 2017 and early member of the Housing Justice for All coalition, said that ending the cycle of precarious housing will be among her top priorities when Rochester’s new city council is seated in January.

“As we talk about people having stable housing, first we want to make sure that we are dealing with evictions and people not being homeless, so one of our first steps has to be good cause,” she said.

New York Focus: A Wave of Upstate Cities Could Ban Eviction Without “Good Cause” Read More »

Governor Cuomo’s Legacy of Failure on the Overdose Crisis is Punctuated by Deadliest Year on Record

Press Statements / By

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, July 14 2021 CONTACT Jasmine Budnella, jasmine@vocal-ny.org Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org GOVERNOR CUOMO’S LEGACY OF FAILURE ON THE OVERDOSE CRISIS IS PUNCTUATED BY DEADLIEST YEAR ON RECORD Preliminary Data Released By CDC Today Shows Over 5,100 New Yorkers Died From Preventable Overdoses In 2020 Over 30,000 New Yorkers Have Died From Overdose

Governor Cuomo’s Legacy of Failure on the Overdose Crisis is Punctuated by Deadliest Year on Record Read More »

Scroll to Top
Skip to content