NY: Repeal Section 50-A

How New Yorkers Can Demand Accountability for Acts of Police Violence and Misconduct: Urge Your Reps to Repeal Section 50-A.

This public document will be updated with resources, information, links, and ways to take action as frequently as possible. New updates will be automatically published, so please feel free to share this resource widely: tinyurl.com/repeal-50a-toolkit

What is Section 50-A? Why Repeal?

Call + Email Your Reps

Example Script for Calls + Emails

Campaigns + Resources to Take Additional Action

Acknowledgements

Read about Section 50-A and calling + emailing your representatives:

In addition to urging to defund the police, urge your reps to support Senate Bill S3695 and Assembly Bill A2513 to repeal Section 50-A.

If passed, these bills would repeal provisions relating to personnel records of police officers, firefighters, and correction officers, essentially making them available to the public. Governor Cuomo has expressed his support to sign these bills if they pass and reach his desk. Legislators have expressed that they could reconvene to vote on these bills as soon as the week of June 8th so contacting them and building public pressure are critical timely actions that you can take right now.

What is Section 50-A? Why Repeal?

50-A is routinely used to shield police misconduct and failed police disciplinary processes from public view. A repeal of 50-A would provide much needed transparency on police misconduct and discipline in New York State, and help address the systemic lack of accountability for police who engage in misconduct.

— changethenypd.org/safer-ny

If we do not repeal section 50-A, public trust in our law enforcement and the NYC administration will continue to be eroded. There is nothing more corrupting than power exercised in secret.

— Jumaane D. Williams, Public Advocate for the City of New York

50-A, it’s always represented an obstacle, but it’s never been as bad as it is now.

— Michael Sisitzky, New York Civil Liberties Union, Police Transparency + Accountability Campaign Lead

The repeal of 50-A is supported by a broad coalition including families who have lost loved ones to police, community organizations from across New York state, members of the press, faith leaders, and members of law enforcement.

— Anthonine Pierre, Spokesperson for Communities United for Police Reform and Deputy Director of the Brooklyn Movement Center

If you don’t discipline cops for acts of brutality, then they’re likely to do it again because they perceive no cost.

— Jeffrey Fagan, Professor of Law at Columbia Law School

Repealing 50-A “would prevent the NYPD from being able to say in court that they don’t have to release disciplinary records of, for example, officer Daniel Pantaleo, who killed Eric Garner [in New York City in 2014],”

— Julia Salazar, State Senator for NY’s 18th District in Brooklyn

Video after video shows NYPD officers using fists, batons and pepper spray to assault peaceful protesters. And, because the current legal landscape provides no meaningful checks on police behavior, these officers can continue to return to the streets night after night without consequences. With 50-A fully repealed, New Yorkers would have the opportunity to challenge the culture of impunity that allows patterns of violence to continue.

— The Legal Aid Society

New York Consolidated Laws, Civil Rights Law § 50-A.

“All personnel records used to evaluate performance towards continued employment or promotion…of individuals defined as police officers…shall be considered confidential and not subject to inspection or review without…written consent of such police officer…except as may be mandated by lawful court order”

“Prior to issuing such court order the judge must …give interested parties the opportunity to be heard [and a judge cannot request to see these records] without a clear showing of facts sufficient to warrant the…request.”

“If, after such hearing, the judge concludes there is a sufficient basis [the records shall be] sealed and sent directly to him.”

— https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVR/50-A

Call + Email Your Reps

Tip: If it’s after 5pm, calling during business hours is best. If that’s not possible, please go ahead and leave a message or send an email.

Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins

518-455-2585 (Albany)

914-423-4031 (District)

Email: scousins@nysenate.gov

Speaker Heastie

518-455-3791 (Albany)

718-654-6539 (District)

Email: speaker@nyassembly.gov

Your Assembly Member

Find yours: nyassembly.gov/mem/search/

Brooklyn Contacts: tinyurl.com/BKassembly

Outside Brooklyn Contacts: nyassembly.gov/mem/

Your Senator

Find yours: nysenate.gov/find-my-senator

Brooklyn Contacts: tinyurl.com/BKsenate

Outside Brooklyn Contacts: nysenate.gov/senators-committees

What if you're out of state?

Calls from out of state residents are not helpful as this is a NY State legislative issue. Another way to support this effort is by making a contribution to Communities United for Police Reform—a campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect.

Logging Your Calls

Thank you for taking action and calling your representatives! The New Kings Democrats are asking people to please log your calls here.

Example Script for Calls + Emails

SUBJECT: Advocate for Bailey and O’Donnell’s bill to repeal 50-A (A2513/S3695)

Hello,

My name is [ your name ] and I urge [ rep’s name ] to advocate for the legislature to reconvene and pass Senator Bailey and Assemblyman O’Donnell’s bill to repeal 50-A (A2513/S3695). In light of the recent police violence, 50-A must be fully repealed—no modifications or amendments.

[if you wish, your own point of view on 50-A]

Can we count on [ rep’s name ] to support the bill to fully repeal 50-A and ask leadership to bring the bill to the floor and vote yes when it comes to the floor?

Thank you.

Online Support

Visit these links and tell Senator Bailey and Assemblyman O’Donnell you support these bills. Click “aye” to support, input your info, and submit:

nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s3695

nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/a2513

Social Media

Instagram

Download this graphic set originally created by @m_tully and post to your Instagram account. I recommend posting these as a complete chronological set and tagging with #Repeal50A.

Sample Caption:

How New Yorkers Can Demand Accountability for Acts of Police Violence and Misconduct: Urge Your Reps to Repeal Section 50-A. Toolkit of resources to educate yourself, find your reps, call and email, and take action here: tinyurl.com/repeal-50a-toolkit #Repeal50A

Twitter

Follow up with a Tweet to your Assemblyman:

Find your legislator’s handle here

NY State Senate Twitter Account: @NYSenate

NY State Assembly Twitter Account: @NYSA_Majority

Sample Tweet:

Next week @NYSenate & @NYSA_Majority will be reconvening. We are urging the Senate and Assembly to pass @jamaaltbailey & @Danny_ODonnell_ 's bill to #repeal50a & other parts of the #SaferNYAct including #PoliceSTATAct + @NNickPerry's Special Prosecutor bill.

Donate

North Star Fund

While calling, emailing, and generally reaching out to your reps seems to be the most effective action here, you can also make donations to North Star Fund here. North Star Fund is the fiscal sponsor for Communities United for Police Reform (CPR), a campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect.