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At The Legal Aid Society our Civil, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Rights, and Pro Bono practices work tirelessly in and out of the courtroom to defend our clients and dismantle the hidden, systemic barriers that can prevent them from thriving in New York City. We seek to be a beacon of hope for those who feel neglected —regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how they identify. Our experienced teams provide comprehensive services, support, and advocacy that protect rights, keep families and communities together, and in many cases, saves lives. We have an intrinsic connection to the daily lives of New Yorkers. Here are a few of the places we made a difference, provided context or added valuable perspective this week:
LAS condemns NYPD for violent social distancing arrests
AMNY: Manhattan brutality incident caught on video was a marijuana-related arrest Gothamist: Video: NYPD Officer Beats Bystander During Social Distancing Enforcement Patch: SEE: Violent Social Distancing Arrests Lead To NYPD Investigation NYDN: SEE IT: Cop making arrest for social distancing violation punches and takes down bystander ABC7: Video of New York police arrest during social distancing enforcement sparks outcry WCBS Radio: NYPD Officer On Desk Duty After Violent Arrest 1010 Wins: NYPD officer on desk duty after video shows violent arrest NYT: An N.Y.P.D. officer was stripped of his gun and badge after punching a bystander 1010 Wins: NYPD fficer on desk duty after video shows violent arrest Courthouse News Service: Violent Arrest Raises Alarms in New York City Newsday: NYPD reviewing videos that appear to show officer punching bystander El Diario: Video: Denuncian brutalidad policial durante arresto Heavy: Donni Wright: Video Shows Violent Arrest of New York Man NYT: Despite Violent Arrest, NYPD to Maintain Distancing Patrols Patch: Police Union Head: NYPD Shouldn’t Enforce Social Distancing Time Magazine: NYPD Criticized Over Viral Videos Depicting Violent Arrests NY Post: Cop at center of viral social distancing bust has cost NYC $200K NY Daily News: NYPD roughly arrests men defying social distancing in Brooklyn CBS: Coronavirus Social Distancing Enforcement Scrutinized Following Viral Videos Washington Post: Violent arrest sparks anger over police enforcement of social distancing orders NYDN: Selective police enforcement of NYC’s social distancing looks a lot like stop-and-frisk El Diario: Policía hispano suspendido por brutalidad en distanciamiento social TIME: Experts, Police Union Say NYPD Should Not Be Enforcing Social Distance Rules
LAS secures release of eight pregnant women from State prison
NY Post: Legal group wants 10 pregnant women freed from prison over coronavirus fears CBS: 8 pregnant women to be released from New York prison over virus fears NY Post: 8 pregnant women freed from prison over coronavirus after legal group complains NY Daily News: Legal Aid says state should immediately release 10 women from custody
LAS continues the fight to release incarcerated New Yorkers
NYLJ: This NYC Public Defender Has Helped Set Hundreds of Prisoners Free Yonkers Times: Bail Reform & Early Release For COVID-19 Law360: Data Is Key To Stopping COVID-19 Spread In Prisons Hudson 360: Advocates push for more prison releases amid outbreak The Grio: Coronavirus rips through notorious Rikers Island jail complex Mother Jones: New York Prisoners Are Sewing Masks for Hospitals—But Most Don’t Have Their Own NY1: Legal Aid Sues for New York State to Release Prisoners Vulnerable to Coronavirus Capitol Pressroom: Cuomo faces continued pressure to release prisoners over COVID-19 fears
LAS decries new policy to remove homeless New Yorkers from subways
ABC: Subway closure ‘outright disaster’ for the homeless who have few safe shelter options Daily Mail: Mayor de Blasio says Cuomo’s subway closures will force the homeless above ground The Guardian: Closing New York subway will have ‘devastating’ impact on homeless, say experts CBS: Homeless Rights Advocate: ‘Terrifying’ Scene on First Night of Subway Shutdown
More LAS in the news
El Diario: Queens concentra el mayor número de casos y muertes por coronavirus en todo el país Crain’s: Landlord plan to help rent-regulated tenants a ‘PR stunt,’ advocates say NY Post: Child advocates slam Chirlane McCray’s $1B ThriveNYC program CNBC: Here’s what you need to know about rent relief during the pandemic CNBC: Stay on evictions in New York will continue through August, Gov. Cuomo says The New Republic: The Pandemic Surveillance State City Limits: Opinion: ICE Detention Facilities Have Failed to Protect People from COVID-19