Press Room

Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released the following statement after it was announced, only hours before remote learning was set to begin, that students opting for a blended learning model would not necessarily receive synchronous live instruction while learning remotely. In-person learning is still set to resume on September 21 amid concerns from students, parents, teachers and administrators, and as the City Council considers a resolution which calls on the Department of Education to delay the reopening of public schools until each school meets the safety standards children and school staff require.

"If the city had acknowledged the scientific and logistical realities months or even weeks ago, our schools would be in a better, safer, and more stable place, equipped to implement the best possible remote learning environment for the majority of students. Instead, the Administration has once again made an eleventh-hour reversal, with no excuse and no notice. It's broken a pledge that was likely a factor for many families in selecting the blended learning program. This last-minute brinkmanship is destructive to administrators trying to manage their schools and teachers trying to best execute their curriculum and teach their classes, impossible for parents and traumatizing for students struggling to keep up. It is unsustainable and unacceptable.

"Two weeks ago the Mayor relented and delayed the start of blended learning. At the time I feared that we were poised to make the same logistical failures and logical fallacies, only at a new date, and those fears are being realized. The Administration is exacerbating the crisis and the need to delay schooling outright with a stubborn insistence on reopening buildings, even as there are alternative plans that meet both educational and childcare needs. Now, with confirmed cases among staff in more than 50 schools across the city and just five days until students are set to physically return to schools, the Mayor must again postpone in-person education, to admit sunk costs and prevent potential human costs."

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams opposed the Industry City rezoning application today in testimony for a hearing held by the New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises. The controversial proposed rezoning has been met with opposition from community members, environmental organizations, and the local Council Member, among others. In his opposition, Public Advocate Williams cited their concerns and stressed that the potential risks of the project could outweigh the possibility of reward.

The Public Advocate discussed the failures of the rezoning process and necessary reforms, arguing that "For far too long, rezonings have not taken into consideration the views of communities of more color. Developers push through projects despite local community members' opposition and concerns. We need to change the process of rezonings, and ensure that residents have ample opportunities to be engaged, especially during the pandemic." He pointed to the need to pass his legislation mandating a racial impact study of any potential rezoning.

He also acknowledged the current financial situation facing the city, but argued that this project would not be a solution, saying "I am not convinced that rezoning will lead to these neighborhoods getting the assistance they need. The promised 20,000 jobs from the proposal, is just that, a promise-- it may not benefit everyone in the community. That worries me." He cited the Hudson Yards project as an example, noting that in that instance "the intended effect of stimulating our economy is yet to occur," and warning of a similar outcome with Industry City.

Public Advocate Williams' full statement is below and can be downloaded here.

TESTIMONY OF PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS TO THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON ZONING AND FRANCHISES - HEARING SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

Good morning,

My name is Jumaane D. Williams, and I am the Public Advocate for the City of New York. I would like to thank the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises chair Francisco Moya for holding today's hearing. 

Today the subcommittee will hear the rezoning application for Sunset Park, Brooklyn. I have made my opinion clear on this application. I stand by the community that is genuinely concerned about this rezoning and oppose the application before the subcommittee today.After listening to residents in Sunset Park who would be affected by the rezoning, I cannot agree that this proposal is reflective of the community's needs. There are many questions and genuine concerns. One example is the environmental impact from the development.

The plan would redevelop the waterfront for wealthier residents at the risk of displacing low-income residents. Construction jobs are helpful, but not at the expense of local residents or long-term sustainability. Advocates already have a plan to reimagine the waterfront for sustainability and resilience with green jobs for residents. Yet the environmental impact statement is insufficient per local concerns, and I agree that it is not prioritizing climate-related issues.

For far too long, rezonings have not taken into consideration the views of communities of more color. Developers push through projects despite local community members opposition and concerns. We need to change the process of rezonings, and ensure that residents have ample opportunities to be engaged, especially during the pandemic. Only then can we have a genuine conversation about the intent and impact of rezonings. Otherwise, these processes will benefit the developers rather than the community that will be impacted the most from these projects.

I am not alone in advocating a review of our land use application processes. Community Board 7, which did not offer its support for the Industry City rezoning, also highlighted that the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure does not work. How can we sit here and offer support for a rezoning application based on a broken system? What does that say about rezonings in general? History shows the rezoning processes are never guaranteed. In 2016, there was a rezoning of East New York that led local residents and organizations to propose to the New York State Department of State a cease-and-desist zone in East New York's rezoning area. In Inwood, Manhattan, the City Council-approved rezoning in 2018 led to a state lawsuit, and the Council vote in favor of it was initially annulled. If the application is approved today, residents may rightfully continue to oppose it through legal means.

There should be a moratorium on all rezoning applications until Int. No. 1572 is passed. The legislation would require a racial impact analysis with all land use applications. This would evaluate racial and ethnic impacts from a proposed development as well as whether it would address fair housing under the Fair Housing Act of 1968. In short, this would finally create accountability for the City's rezoning process.

I am aware that the City's finances are dire. I am aware that there is a City unemployment rate of about 20 percent. Some proponents view the Industry City rezoning as a chance to provide an economic lifeline for the City, especially amid the fallout from the pandemic. I understand this argument. However, we have seen communities of more color endure significant health and financial impact from the pandemic. I am not convinced that rezoning will lead to these neighborhoods getting the assistance they need. The promised 20,000 jobs from the proposal, is just that, a promise-- it may not benefit everyone in the community. That worries me.

The Hudson Yards development comes to mind since it obtained billions of dollars in City subsidies. However, the intended effect of stimulating our economy is yet to occur. This may have resulted from the pandemic, but pre-pandemic there was evidence suggesting it was not helping the community despite the substantial government subsidies. I believe there is a lesson to be learned. No one can predict the future since there are always risks. I worry that the risks are being downplayed with this application today. We should remember that, especially when listening to local residents who understand and must live with these risks.

We need to listen to the communities that will be most affected by rezonings, and we need to reimagine our rezoning application process, which now fails to center local concerns. My bill Int. No. 1572 is a way to improve this process, and I call on the City Council to hold a hearing. I thank the chair for allowing me to speak today, and I look forward to today's discussion.

"Nineteen years after the attacks of September 11, the memories, the pain, the devastating impact of unimaginable loss remains heavy on the hearts and minds of New Yorkers and the nation. I pray all who lost loved ones have found some measure of healing and modicum of peace. We remember not only those who were killed on that day, but all, especially first responders, who have suffered and lost their lives to illness as a result of their courage to provide aid in the area of the attack. I hope that all with the power of action will use it to help those in pain.

"The impression of the tragedy that took place on September 11, and the lives of those lost, will forever be remembered in our minds, our hearts, and our history. New York is again experiencing a time of great pain, of tens of thousands of lives lost to a deadly virus, a city stricken by grief and wary of an uncertain future. Now, as we did then, is a time to comfort all who are mourning, to support all who are struggling, to give gratitude to our heroes and aid to our suffering neighbors.

"Tragedy can sometimes discourage a city, a nation, but with commitment and tenacity, I am strong in my belief that New York and its people will remain strong and unified, lifting each other in times of tragedy and standing together to rebuild and recover."

Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams issued the following statement as the United Federation of Teachers considers moving forward with a strike and as the Mayor and Chancellor continue to push for school buildings to reopen with in-person instruction on September 10, despite widespread opposition and safety concerns.

"Amid a flurry of last-minute strategies and hasty adjustments which place an impossible burden on schools and students alike, the city has just over a week to either ensure the safety of students and parents, teachers and staff, or to finally heed the urgent calls to delay in-person schooling and begin the year opening remotely, to implement one of the other viable plans put forth. In the spring, a delay in closing school buildings had devastating impact on the city. Now, a rush to reopen could have the same impact.

"No one knows their classrooms like teachers, and no one wants more to safely educate our city's students. That's why strikes are a last step, not a first option. But the city has not yet shown that to be possible, while clinging to a deadline it cannot meet and a plan that carries inordinate risk for insufficient benefit - we have reached that last step. Many parents, myself included, have already decided to keep our children home for their safety, and if the city cannot meet the safety needs laid out by its teachers and school staff, who are the lifeblood of our school system, then educators should themselves stay home. For the safety of themselves, their students, and the city, I support the calls for a teachers strike if the city continues to rhetorically hold up teachers as heroes while hypocritically holding fast to a plan that places them and their students in unnecessary danger."

Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams issued the following statement after the Mayor and Chancellor announced that in-person learning would be delayed until September 21, originally scheduled for September 10.

"Re-opening strategies need to be deliberate and methodical, guided by science and framed in equity to minimize risk. I've implored the administration to delay the reopening of school buildings in service of that goal, but I am deeply concerned that eleven days is not nearly enough to meet the monumental task before the city, and that the administration will fall victim to the same logistical failures and logical fallacies as it did previously, just with a new date. "We need more time for preparation and less focus on a looming, unrealistic and unsafe deadline amid deep budget uncertainty. Our approach must be intentional, not incidental - implementing the most effective system of remote learning possible while working to restore in-person learning in phases, beginning with those who have the greatest need. If we face the same shortcomings on September 21 that we do today, nothing will have changed but the calendar, and further delay will be needed to put in place critical safety infrastructure before gradually phasing in re-opening. The Mayor needs to listen to the students, parents, teachers, scientists and school staff, who are imploring him to prioritize safety, not a schedule."

As Mayor Bill de Blasio continues to push for all school buildings to reopen in just two weeks amid mounting opposition from students, parents, teachers, administrators, and medical professionals, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams introduced legislation today to improve remote learning procedures and provide an emergency food plan for students.

The Public Advocate-- who previously released a plan that called for all schools to remain remote through at least October-- joined Council Member Mark Treyger, Chair of the Council's Committee on Education, to introduce legislation that would require the Department of Education to report weekly on remote learning attendance. That reporting would be disaggregated by school, grade, race, individualized education plan status and other factors, and would help the city to find and focus on areas where remote learning may not be executed effectively, providing resources to students and schools in the most need.

This bill, Intro 2058, comes after City Council hearings this spring revealed that the Department of Education did not have adequate or accurate data on remote learning participation, and after reports that the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS) was investigating some families after students failed to join remote learning due to lack of resources.

Under the city's current hybrid learning plan, all students will be engaged in some level of remote learning, and a significant portion will be entirely remote to begin the school year. Public Advocate Williams has continued to advocate for a plan which delays any in-person education until at least October, then phase in in-person education in coordination with extensive school safety measures.

Public Advocate Williams also introduced legislation, Intro 2057, which would require the Mayor's Office of Food Policy and the Department of Education to develop a student food plan to be used when schools are ordered to be closed or when any form of remote learning is utilized. Many students throughout New York City rely on the school system for access to consistent nutritious meals. This bill would ensure that in the event of an emergency or public health crisis that shutters schools, students will still be able to receive the meals they would normally receive in school and thus ensure their food security.

The plan would include a description of how the City will provide students with access to breakfast, lunch, and dinner; how and to what extent the City will distribute information to the public about the availability of food; criteria for how food distribution points are identified; a mechanism to ensure that all public communications, written or otherwise are available in the most commonly spoken languages of affected communities; and other elements.

These two pieces of legislation are timely and critical as the Mayor pushes for a blended learning system to reopen schools on September 10. Improved remote learning and food security plans are essential as many students opting to learn fully remotely, or in the event of impending school closures should further COVID-19 outbreaks occur in classrooms.

In announcing the legislation, Public Advocate Williams said, "Whether the Mayor moves forward with his misguided plan to re-open school buildings on September 10 or not, much of the coming school year is likely to be remote. As we saw this past spring, remote learning has great potential but also highlights the need for many reforms and systems in place to make it more effective. These bills will help ensure that students and families get the education and resources they need amid the ongoing pandemic."

"COVID-19 has impacted every single person in this city, but its impacts have not been evenly felt. Inequities in remote learning mirror inequities in the spread of COVID-19. In order to know how much support is needed for our students and educators, we need data that illustrates the gaps. Additional specific data on remote learning participation is the only effective way to acknowledge the problem and allocate resources where necessary to eliminate gaps of inequity," said Council Member Mark Treyger, Chair of the Committee on Education. "We need to ensure that every student is receiving a high-quality education, whether in-person or remote, so that vulnerable student populations are not left behind."