Press Statements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 3, 2022 CONTACT Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO PRESIDENT BIDEN VISITING NYC TO DISCUSS VIOLENCE PREVENTION WITH MAYOR ADAMS This Evening, VOCAL-NY Members Will Gather With Allies From New York City Social Justice Groups to Call for Community Funding, Not Cops NEW YORK — Today, President Biden arrived in New York City to discuss […]

CONTACT Keli Young, Keli@vocal-ny.org Mariah McGough, Mariah@vocal-ny.org MAYOR ADAMS, KEEP YOUR PROMISES: FUND COMMUNITY CARE AND SERVICES, NOT MORE NYPD NEW YORK — Over the weekend, Mayor Adams made an appearance on “Up Close with Bill Ritter,” where he said “nothing would get in the way” of increasing the size of the NYPD in the name of public safety – despite

CONTACT Keli Young, keli@vocal-ny.org, 929-363-4713 Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203-470-9979 VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO MAYOR ADAMS PLANS TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE IN NYC; CALLS FOR INVESTMENTS IN CARE AND COMPASSION, NOT INCARCERATION NEW YORK — Following a press conference today by Mayor Adams to announce his blueprint to end gun violence in New York City, VOCAL-NY Civil Rights Union leaders released the

CONTACT Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 Mayor Adams: Don’t Put Swagger Before Substance, Invest in Policing Alternatives That Don’t Criminalize New Yorkers NEW YORK — In response to Mayor Eric Adams considering excluding the NYPD from a 3% budget cut to city-wide agencies, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Jon McFarlane, VOCAL-NY Civil Rights Union Leader: “On the campaign trail,

CONTACT Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 VOCAL-NY Launches Budget and Legislative Platforms to Reverse Failed Drug War Policies, End Mass Incarceration, and Eliminate Homelessness Earlier Today, VOCAL-NY Leaders and Members Hybrid Joined a Press Conference to Announce the Platforms Find VOCAL-NY’s Legislative Platform Here, and Budget Platform Here NEW YORK — Today, VOCAL-NY launched it’s 2022-2023 budget and legislative platforms, laying out demands and policy priorities to create a Caring and Compassionate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Wednesday, January 5, 2022 CONTACT Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO 2022 STATE OF THE STATE, CALL ON GOV. HOCHUL AND LEGISLATURE TO GO FARTHER  NEW YORK — Today, VOCAL-NY members and leaders gathered virtually to watch Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2022 State of the State address, a preview of

View Governor Hochul’s Message Here, Mayor-Elect Adams’ Message Here NEW YORK — Today Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor-Elect Eric Adams recommitted to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by video ahead of the World AIDS Day community forum held in NYC. The community forum follows a NYC rally and march by VOCAL-NY and activists, and a press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, November 30, 2021 Contact: Jasmine Budnella, jasmine@vocal-ny.org, 720-480-5262 After Historic Year of Surging Overdoses, New York City Makes History by Opening the First Overdose Prevention Centers in the Country NEW YORK — In the wake of the deadliest surge and highest overdose deaths in history, Mayor de Blasio announces New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, November 23, 2021 CONTACT Joe Loonam, Joseph@vocal-ny.org, 347-409-4650 VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO THE RESIGNATION OF STEVE BANKS, NYC SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER NEW YORK — In response to the resignation of Steve Banks, VOCAL-NY released the following statement attributable to Joe Loonam, Housing Campaigns Coordinator: “Steve Banks has shaped the policies around homelessness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, November 23, 2021 CONTACT Mariah McGough, Mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY SLAMS NY PAROLE OFFICERS FOR INTIMIDATION AND ESCALATION AT RALLY IN ROCHESTER ROCHESTER, N.Y. — On Monday parole officers with Public Employees Federation Division 236 physically assaulted an organizer with VOCAL-NY after being challenged for supporting mass incarceration and specifically the repeal of