Mass Incarceration

Support Grows for Passage of the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act During Final Weeks of Session

Press Statements / By

CONTACT:Nick Encalada-Malinowski, nick@vocal-ny.org, 347-259-4835  Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 SUPPORT GROWS FOR PASSAGE OF THE CHALLENGING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS ACT DURING FINAL WEEKS OF SESSIONBill Moved Through the Final Assembly Committee Monday and Now Heads to the Floor for a Full Vote ALBANY, N.Y. – The Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act passed the Assembly’s Rules Committee on Monday, paving […]

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BREAKING: Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act Pass Key Legislative Committee

Press Statements / By

CONTACT:Nick Encalada-Malinowski, nick@vocal-ny.org, 347-259-4835 CHALLENGING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS ACT PASSES KEY ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE, MOMENTUM GROWS FOR PASSAGE BY LEGISLATURE THIS SESSION Advocates and Bill Sponsors Optimistic About Passage after Vote which Follows a New Poll That Shows Broad Bipartisan Support For The Bill Among New Yorkers  ALBANY, N.Y. – Formerly incarcerated organizers and activists, including people exonerated from wrongful convictions

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New York Daily News: Majority of New Yorkers support package of bills to end wrongful convictions

In the News / By

“Few things undermine the credibility of the criminal legal system as much as the incredible tolerance law enforcement and elected officials seem to have for wrongful convictions,” said Nick Encalada-Malinowski, civil rights campaign director for VOCAL-NY, an advocacy group championing the bills. “The Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act, which we now know is widely supported by

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VOCAL-NY Responds to Mayor Adams Budget Proposal

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO MAYOR ADAMS BUDGET PROPOSAL NEW YORK — In response to Mayor Adams announcement of his administration’s Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2023, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Althea Matthews, a Homelessness Union leader and New York City-based harm reduction street outreach worker who is currently experiencing

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VOCAL-NY Responds to the Police Assault of an 8-Year-Old in Syracuse

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO THE POLICE ASSAULT OF AN 8-YEAR-OLD IN SYRACUSE This is a Clear Example of Criminalizing Poverty SYRACUSE, N.Y. — In response to the arrest of an 8-year-old boy in Syracuse on Tuesday, VOCAL-NY released the following response: “Under no circumstance does an alleged possession of a bag of chips warrant

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Gov. Hochul, You Failed Us: VOCAL-NY Condemns Final Budget That Neglects Homeless New Yorkers and Enables Mass Incarceration

Press Statements / By

CONTACT Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 GOV. HOCHUL, YOU FAILED US: VOCAL-NY CONDEMNS FINAL BUDGET THAT NEGLECTS HOMELESS NEW YORKERS AND ENABLES MASS INCARCERATION After Promises to be Different Than Cuomo, Gov. Hochul Final Budget Offers More of the Same Failed Tactics, Without Investments in Evidence-Based Solutions Gov. Hochul Will Have a Direct Hand in the

Gov. Hochul, You Failed Us: VOCAL-NY Condemns Final Budget That Neglects Homeless New Yorkers and Enables Mass Incarceration Read More »

CBS NY: New York lawmakers struggle with bail reform as part of budget negotiations

In the News / By

Bail reform advocates made their message loud and clear as Democratic lawmakers gathered for an update on budget negotiations behind closed doors on Monday, days past the deadline. “We are here to ask lawmakers to make a conscious decision not to trade Black and Brown lives for political theater,” said John McFarlane of Vocal NY.

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Letter to State Leadership to Increase Investments in Proven Non-Police Response to Gun violence

Letter / By

The Honorable Kathy HochulGovernor of New York StateNYS State Capitol BuildingAlbany, NY 12224 Hon. Andrea Stewart-CousinsNew York State Senate Majority Leader188 State StreetLegislative Office Building, Room 907Albany, NY 12247 Hon. Carl HeastieNew York State Assembly SpeakerLOB 932Albany, NY 12248 Re: Urgent and Necessary Increases in New York State Investments in ProvenNon-Police Responses to Gun Violence

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City & State: NYC progressives are reclaiming “defund,” after it was used against themCity & State:

In the News / By

Two days later, organizers held the same sign again at a people’s public safety rally in City Hall Park, where VOCAL-NY organizing director Jawanza James Williams explained that it was just another way of reclaiming the term “defund.” Read More

City & State: NYC progressives are reclaiming “defund,” after it was used against themCity & State: Read More »

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