Politics & Government

Jumaane Williams, Brad Lander Take Victory Lap with Al Sharpton

Council members discuss next steps for Community Safety Act after Wednesday night's vote.

Supporters of the City Council's Community Safety Act, which passed in a session Wednesday night, took to the steps of City Hall to tout their achievement Thursday.  

Joined by Rev. Al Sharpton, the group vowed to toe the line in the face of an impending mayoral veto, which Mayor Michael Bloomberg pledged after the act was passed. 

The Community Safety Act will establish an Inspector General for the NYPD and give those stopped by police more latitude to bring discrimination lawsuits.

City Councilman Jumaane Williams, along with Councilman Brad Lander, said they were over the moon about the vote. Both saw it as an impressive show of unity among those in the city who wanted to improve the quality of policing in every community.

"Last night, the people of the city of New York fought City Hall for the right to have safer streets and better policing, and the people of New York City won," Williams said.

He also accused Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly of spreading misinformation about the legislation the council passed, but touted the act's veto-proof majority before introducing Sharpton. 

Sharpton hailed the legislation as a step toward equality in communities of color.

"We do not need to choose between safety and accountability, we can have both," Sharpton said. "This is not about bragging rights. This is about civil rights and safer cities." 

He also urged the council members who had voted to approve the legislation to stand fast in the face of what was likely to be overwhelming pressure from Bloomberg's administration to flip on the bill after a veto. 

"There will be those that will try to take some [council members] in and make them turn around," he said. "You cannot turn around in the face of history. This is an idea whose time has come. Let's not play back room games." 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Prospect Heights-Crown Heights