Press Room

NEW YORK: Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams introduced a resolution in the City Council today that would recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, and Transgender Day of Visibility, March 31, as holidays within the City of New York. Both Transgender Day of Remembrance and Transgender Day of Visibility are marked around the country, and specifically in New York, with vigils, protests, forums, and other actions and events, but the days are not currently formally recognized by the city.

"The transgender community, particularly trans women of more color, are in a state of crisis, in our city and across the country. This constant struggle against systemic violence and oppression demands acknowledgment and action." said Public Advocate Williams in introducing the resolution. "The city government has a responsibility to stand with a community so often marginalized, to elevate people so often pushed down, to hear and speak to the pain and loss faced by transgender individuals in our city and work to upend the system that tacitly permits it. Recognizing these days is not a solution, but it is a step and a call to action for every other day, that our work must be to advocate and create opportunities for TGNC New Yorkers."

Transgender Day of Remembrance originated in 1999 when transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith held a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a well-known Black trans woman in Boston's trans and Black LGBTQ+ communities, who was brutally murdered the previous year.  Today, the day is commemorated to honor the memory of trans and gender nonconforming people who have lost their lives in acts of anti-trans violence.

A decade later, in response to the lack of positive recognition of trans people, trans activist Rachel Crandall started the International Transgender Day of Visibility to bring trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people together, celebrate their contributions to society, and raise awareness about discrimination faced by TGNC individuals.

Resolution 1487, and further recognition of these days of observance, would encourage people to prioritize inclusivity and equity with regard to TGNC New Yorkers and call attention to issues of systemic biases and individual transphobia. It would emphasize the need for specific and meaningful action by government to address the needs of the TGNC community.

New York State is home to more than 50,000 trans people, based on information from a June 2016 Williams Institute report. Trans people face systemic obstacles in employment, healthcare, housing, and many other areas of life, as well as disproportionate, entrenched, and targeted violence. According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 34 trans or gender nonconforming people, the majority of whom were Black and Latinx, have been murdered in 2020, which is the highest number of deaths ever recorded.

"All day today, as they have for many months, New York City's parents and principals, teachers and students waited for leadership to explain whether and when the city's public schools would be closed. While they finally have an answer, there is absolutely no leadership present.

"Whether to close schools amid an increase in COVID-19 cases was a question of science and of health. Whether to order that closure with less than sixteen hours before it would be enforced and upend the lives of people across the city is a question of common sense and sound management, neither of which has been seen today or throughout much of this pandemic. This systemic dysfunction goes far beyond the issue of a 3% threshold, and it is inflicting a trauma on the city.

"If closing schools can meaningfully slow the spread and save lives, then it is a step to consider - but today, it is one taken without caution, without knowledge of the next step, without regard for the teachers, parents, students and staff being dragged along by this brinkmanship as the achievement gap widens. As I have repeatedly implored the administration, any closure should come with re-established REC centers for students and parents in greatest need, an investment in effective remote learning, robust family outreach, and a clear-cut plan to re-open with a phased approach when science and safety dictate. People are scared and stressed, and need plans and assurances. Today, we have only executives governing by haphazard tweets and combative press conferences, from City Hall and the State Capitol to the White House.

"It has been my hope that as New York faces down a rising second wave of COVID-19, we have learned from the mistakes that led to our becoming the epicenter of the pandemic, but with each announcement, or lack of an announcement, it seems clear that our executives have not."

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."