Representative Adriano Espaillat Introduces The Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2021

 

Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat released the following statement on the introduction of his comprehensive legislation to abolish the federal death penalty.

“The death penalty is a cruel relic of the past, and should have no place in our society,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “A government should not have the power to take the life of another person, and the death penalty is a deeply flawed and inherently unjust system.

“The death penalty is fundamentally racist, and its roots can be traced directly to America’s terrible history of lynching. Over 42 percent of those on death row and 34 percent of those executed in America are Black, but only 13 percent of America’s population is black. Furthermore, those convicted of killing White victims are seventeen times more likely to be sentenced to death than would be if the victim was Black. The racial disparities in the death penalty are beyond the pale, and we must amend this racist legacy of our criminal justice system," Espaillat continued.

“Human life is invaluable, and every human life is sacred. Yet, the death penalty forgets a core tenet of humanity – human beings change. Humans have an immense capacity to learn, to heal, and to grow. Executing someone denies this principle and gives no course for a person to grow. A person is not defined by the worst choice they made, but the death penalty only views someone’s life through this narrow lens. And what’s more, it undermines the core vision upon which this nation was founded. I am proud to introduce this legislation, and believe it is a critical step towards a more righteous, equitable, and just society for all Americans,” he concluded.

The Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2021 has been endorsed by more than 200 organizations nationwide, including:  NAACP, ACLU, Amnesty International USA, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Innocence Project, National Black Justice Coalition, Southern Poverty Law Center, National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Death Penalty Action, 8th Amendment Project, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Vera Institute of Justice, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Southern Center for Human Rights, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Equal Justice USA, Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, Grassroots Leadership, Drug Policy Alliance.

MAYOR DE BLASIO: CITY WILL RUN OUT OF VACCINE SUPPLY NEXT WEEK

 

THE CITY OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

NEW YORK, NY 10007

Mayor Bill de Blasio today said New York City is on pace to run out of vaccine supply next week and called on the federal government to send additional doses.

 

“We will run out of vaccine next week in New York City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The supply should go to where there is an infrastructure to get it into people’s arms. We know there is supply in this country not being used.”  

 

As of today, the City has under 186,000 first doses remaining. Two of the City’s largest hospital systems of NYU and Mt. Sinai are no longer booking appointments for the time being and we expect all systems to run out by the end of next week without resupply.

 

The City reported 33,847 doses yesterday and has already administered more than 337,500 doses to New Yorkers, including more than 42,000 second doses. The City has administered 71.3% percent of the 175,000 vaccines it aimed to distribute by the end of this weekend.

Abigail Martin Reports $39,360 Raised In First Filing with the Campaign Finance Board

 

Abigail Martin

City Council Candidate Abigail Martin today announced that she has raised $39,360 from 445 contributors in the first five months of her campaign. 163 of these contributors are District 11 residents, which is more than double the number required by the Campaign Finance Board (CFB) to qualify for its matching funds program.

Martin has raised $20,403 in matchable donations-- just $1,097 short of the $21,500 needed to receive the full match allowed by the CFB. Based on Martin’s fundraising totals thus far, she is already expected to receive at least $163,224 in matching funds before the June 22, 2021 Democratic primary, for which she is a candidate.

“The support this campaign has received is a clear sign that the people of the northwest Bronx want new leadership, and want a true political outsider representing us,” continued Martin. "In the City Council, I will fight for every member of our community, and I will work to rebuild a just and equitable New York that is more affordable for working families and those on fixed incomes.”

The average contribution to Martin’s campaign to date is $67.45, and 72% of her donations have been from people contributing $50 or less.

“I would like to thank my fundraising team and campaign staff for their hard work,” said Martin. “Most of all, I would like to thank each and every person who has joined this effort, including the hundreds of small donors who are helping to grow this grassroots campaign.”

Under the CFB’s matching funds program, all donations from New York City residents between $10 and $175 are eligible to be matched with $8 in public funds for every $1 raised, up to a total of $21,500.

Abigail Martin is a social worker and an adjunct professor at the Columbia University School of Social Work, and a candidate in the Democratic Party Primary on June 22 for City Council in District 11. City Council District 11 includes the Northwest Bronx neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, and Woodlawn.

Abigail’s website is Abigail4theBronx.com

Statement From Governor Cuomo on FEMA Relief for New York

 

 "New York was blindsided by COVID-19 in the spring and it was a direct result of the failures and utter incompetence of the federal government under the Trump Administration. Now, as a result of that federal incompetence, New York is facing an unprecedented COVID deficit.

Nearly a year ago, President Trump promised FEMA would reimburse 100 percent of New York's expenses, but, like many of his promises, the President reneged and New Yorkers suffered.

I want to thank my friends President-Elected Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for reaching this agreement, living up to the federal government's previous promise, and proving that government can work." 

Brooklyn Man Indicted For Armed Robberies Of Cab Drivers

 

 Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Dermot F. Shea, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York, and John B. DeVito, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), announced that KYMAHLI LYSIUS was indicted today in connection with armed robberies he carried out last summer against livery cab drivers.  LYSIUS was arrested last week and presented in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin N. Fox.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss stated:  “Kymahli Lysius allegedly carried out a spree of brazen gunpoint robberies of livery cab drivers in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Lysius’s alleged conduct includes chillingly pointing a gun at the back of drivers’ heads and demanding their money, then fleeing on foot under the cover of night. We thank the NYPD and ATF for holding Kymahli responsible for alleged acts that put his victims in fear for their lives.”    

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “This individual allegedly targeted hard-working victims and exploited the nature of their job to lure them to a location for the purpose of a robbery. I commend the detectives and members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District, for targeting violent crime and their hard work which resulted in this indictment.”

ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito said:  “As alleged, defendant Lysius committed several armed robberies of honest and hard-working New Yorkers who were trying to provide for their families in the midst of a pandemic. This indictment sends a clear message that ATF and our law enforcement partners remain committed to ensuring public safety and that those who violate federal law and threaten the safety of our communities and the citizens within will be dealt with swiftly."

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed last week in Manhattan federal court[1]:

Between on or about July 28, 2020, and August 7, 2020, LYSIUS committed eight gunpoint robberies and a ninth attempted gunpoint robbery against livery cab drivers.  Two of the robberies were in Manhattan; the others were in Brooklyn.  The robberies followed a simple but brazen pattern:  On each occasion, a livery cab was ordered for a pick up at a specific location.  Upon its arrival, LYSIUS would get into the back seat of the cab.  Shortly thereafter, he would pull out a firearm from a fanny pack strapped across his chest, place the firearm on the cab driver’s head or back, and demand all of the driver’s money.  After taking all the cash the driver had on him and any other cash in the cab, LYSIUS would get out of the cab and flee on foot.  Each robbery occurred on dark streets, late at night or in the very early morning hours. 

LYSIUS, 28, of Brooklyn, is charged with two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and two counts of using a firearm in connection with the two robberies that occurred in Manhattan.  The Hobbs Act robbery charges each carry a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in prison.  The charges for using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the Hobbs Act robberies each carry a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed. 

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, the ATF, and the Strategic Pattern Armed Robbery Technical Apprehension (“SPARTA”) Task Force..

The charges contained in the Complaint and Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

350 Days and Counting

 

350 Days until a new Mayor takes over. He or she can't be any worse.

The Bronx Night Market is coming back, baby!

 

A FEW WORDS Well, well, well. 2021 is off to some start... we've gained 5 lbs from stress alone; add that to the holiday season/end of year shenanigans; we're talking sweatpants is the new dress code   The election is (sort of) over, the vaccine is in full blast, and we've all seen the same faces in our pods, again, and again (and again) - but we're not complaining. Are we?  We were the only open-air market to open last year, because 1. We're from the Bronx, and we get sh#t done, and 2. Because we literally helped DOT, SBA, and other organizations write the book on how to do that while ensuring public safety.   I am proud and happy to announce that we will be returning to Fordham Plaza on Saturdays, April-November, 2021, from 12-7 pm. We are starting with a similar structure to last years' and will increasingly punch it up, Bronx style, baby!  WHAT TO EXPECT We're coming home to FORDHAM PLAZA starting April 3, 2021.  SATURDAYS ARE FOR THE BRONX means focusing on cuisine & culture   We support SMALL & LOCAL with a drizzle of Tri-state heavy-hitting food concepts. A WEEKLY FEATURE of Bronx owned businesses. We heard ya, Bronx; we're working to bring more VEGAN FOOD OPTIONS.  We will apply the same COVID19 strict logic and expand the party as we go along.  We're working on a larger VENDOR ROTATION this year. Yes, you will need STRETCHY PANTS.  We're working with city/state organization on becoming more ECO-FRIENDLY. .. We have cultivated partnerships with various organizations to support MINORITY/IMMIGRANT/LGBTQIA entrepreneurship.  In addition to the above, we've been working hard for you guys. We will be announcing The Bronx Night Market Popup Series soon. It's our "traveling show," visiting various neighborhoods in the BX, celebrating diversity, and supporting local small businesses.