Press Room

NEW YORK: As the New York State Supreme Court hears a case today on the City's efforts to remove homeless residents from the Lucerne Hotel and relocate them to the Financial District following legal action, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams has submitted an affidavit in support of the Lucerne Hotel residents remaining on the Upper West Side. The residents are petitioning for preliminary injunctive relief, which the Public Advocate supports.

In the filing, Public Advocate Williams declares his support on grounds that "the City's decision-making concerning the Forced Relocation appears to have been arbitrary and capricious;" and that "the Forced Relocation would expose the Lucerne Petitioners to serious and potentially irreversible harm - a consequence that would be completely incompatible with the City's declared policy of compassionate and humanitarian treatment of homeless individuals."

He also argues that much of the opposition to residents remaining at the Lucern is both unfounded and stem from racial discrimination and political consideration, saying "Given that the majority of Lucerne Residents are African American men, this knee-jerk reaction of associating homelessness and their presence with crime is akin to closeted, de facto discrimination based on race. In short, the decision to forcibly relocate the Lucerne Residents constitutes an irrational determination by the Respondents, apparently based upon the Mayor's political motivations rather than sound humanitarian housing policy."

The residents of the Lucerne Hotel have thus far been able to remain there after a Temporary Restraining Order was granted last month. Today's hearing may decide whether there will be longer term relief of some kind, including a potential preliminary injunction.

The full text of the affidavit can be downloaded here.

As New York City faces a rise in COVID-19 cases and approaches a 3% citywide positivity rate, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams has released a paper entitled 'In The Event of a Second Wave' which contains a series of recommendations for city, state, federal, and individual actions to limit the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the exponential rise in cases and casualties seen in New York City at the start of the pandemic.

"As cases rise across the country spike to new highs, here in New York City it is now undeniable that we are seeing the rise of a second wave - but its outcome is not inevitable.," said Public Advocate Williams. "In order to prevent the level of pain and devastation that was inflicted by the compounding public health and economic crises in the spring, we have to learn from our mistakes and be proactive. On both governing and individual levels, we need to take responsibility and take action to slow the spread and save lives. We have seen the worst of this pandemic in New York, and we cannot allow it to return with the second wave. The quicker and more decisively we act now, the less pain we will see in the long term."

'In The Event of a Second Wave' analyzes the response to and impact of COVID-19 across a range of areas including the economy , education, housing, transportation, and the workforce. It uses the shortcoming in initial response to map a path forward in combating the rise of a second wave of coronavirus in New York.

In the report, the Public Advocate recommends the swift and orderly closure of non-essential indoor businesses such as gyms, nail and hair salons, and houses of worship, in addition to shutting down indoor dining. In order to support those small businesses amid closure, he calls for the federal government to finally provide the level of local relief necessary - in particular with a new federal administration taking office in the coming months. To further procure funding to support struggling New York small businesses and their employees, he calls on Governor Cuomo to support revenue raising measures from billionaires who have profited during the pandemic amid a budget crisis. He also reiterates his call for New York City to be granted long-term borrowing authority.

Public Advocate Williams recommends that the city immediately prepare for the potential and likely imminent closure of the majority of school buildings. In order to facilitate a smoother transition to full remote learning, the city should immediately provide all students with remote learning devices - which still has not occurred eight months after remote learning began. He also calls for the expansion of Regional Enrichment Centers for students of greatest need to receive instruction outside of the home.

The report analyzes the initial response to COVID-19 and finds several crucial shortcomings which helped to exacerbate the crisis. While many relate to having little information early regarding the virus itself, the analysis also makes clear that political fights and posturing have had a detrimental impact on the city and state's coronavirus response. Public Advocate Williams calls on Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo to present a singular, united message about the severity of this increase in cases, the imperative to reduce the spread, and the concrete steps to accomplish this goal.

Critically, the Public Advocate also asks all New Yorkers to combat so-called "COVID fatigue" which has led to a reduction in adherence to public health measures including masks and social distancing. With Thanksgiving approaching, it is critical to celebrate in one's home rather than travel or to host or attend large gatherings. He calls for a re-commitment to the simple sacrifices all New Yorkers can make to protect themselves and each other.

The full report is available on the Public Advocate's website.

"Happy Veterans Day to our city and nation. As the pandemic prevents us from mass gatherings as a show of support or appreciation, we must be sure to convey our respect and gratitude in our personal interactions and, perhaps most importantly, in our policies. We do this not as a tacit approval of war and violence, but to pay homage to those who answered their country's call to service; many of whom are disrespected or abandoned by our government when they return home. 

"Too many veterans see their service met by a government not fulfilling their end of the contract. This is an injustice not confined to any one party or administration, and one we must correct moving forward as we transition into new national leadership. I stand in appreciation of all, past and present, who have chosen to serve our nation in uniform, including within my own family and staff.

"Veterans Day takes its origin from Armistice Day - it was born from a celebration of peace. May we always work toward achieving that peace, at home and abroad."

"Last night, we saw videos of the NYPD appearing overly aggressive in the way it polices certain protests - particularly through kettling and dozens of arrests. These early enforcement actions seemed intended to suppress, rather than ensure that non-violent protest happens safely. The context of a contentious election and the disparate response to recent protests for other causes are reasons for even greater scrutiny and deeper concern. I was not present last night, but over the summer I personally witnessed extreme aggression by police that was excused and dismissed by the department and the Mayor. 

"After a summer of sustained protest, the administration and NYPD could have honestly acknowledged their failures in policing protests, and acted in good faith to try to correct the disparate precedent set. Sadly, that did not occur, and the Mayor still refuses to admit to the reality of the aggression that the public has seen and experienced. What we're witnessing now are the disturbing results of the administration's opportunity missed, obligation ignored and inability to provide the leadership needed at this moment."

"The Queens community, and the entire city, have lost an iconic leader with the passing of former Council Member and District Leader Archie Spigner. I offer my prayers of peace, comfort and condolence to his family and community. As the first Black man elected to the City Council from Queens, he served as both a groundbreaking leader in his own right and a driver of progress for Black leaders to come who benefitted from his guidance and example.

"He was a trailblazer who became a mentor, a pioneer who became a steward, and his dedication to the people of Queens was enduring and absolute across his decades of service. I am honored to have been able to get to know him, and to have chaired the Housing and Buildings Committee over which he presided for years. The Dean's impact will long continue- on the people of our city and Southeast Queens in particular, on generations of leaders he inspired and empowered, and on all those who were lucky enough to have his presence in our lives."

Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released the following statement in response to announcements from Mayor Bill de Blasio that just 280,000 students have attended in-person instruction in the last month, and that parents' one chance to opt-in to hybrid learning will be from November 2-15.

"As the administration rushed to reopen schools, I encouraged parents to keep their children at home if possible - in evaluating the city's in-person efforts so far, we have to look at the number of students reached, and the number of promises abandoned. After all of the last minute changes, all of the risks faced, confusion and stresses stoked, and money wasted, only 280,000 students received in-person education in the last month - just a quarter of the city's public school students and hundreds of thousands less than the administration had touted. At the same time, not enough resources are being put into ensuring high-quality remote learning is accessible for all students, and the city has still not provided remote learning devices to all students who need them.

"Parents are choosing to keep their children home in an expression of a lack of trust in this administration or its ability to manage a re-opening rooted in safety and equity. At the same time, should they choose to re-enroll in hybrid learning, the administration is providing just one opportunity to do so. This puts families in a difficult position of having to make a long-term assessment based on an ever-changing reality, with little information or transparency. The city itself has failed in that regard, and it fails now, again, in providing safe and satisfactory options for students, parents, and school staff who have had to endure an alternating absence and incompetence of leadership."