Fw: Rally & Press Conf. to Free the Bronx 120

From: Wright, Deborah
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 11:09 AM
To: ALAA MEMBERS
Subject: Fw: Rally & Press Conf. to Free the Bronx 120

Sisters & Brothers,

Tomorrow, Wednesday 10/19 at 5:30pm, the families and supporters of the Bronx 120 will be holding a rally and press conference in front of the federal courthouse at 200 pearl street. 120 young men who were swept up in the most massive gang raid in New York City’s history.  Many of those arrested’s only crime was to be “associated” with suspected gang members.
I hope you all can make it! Please email or text me to rsvp!

https://www.facebook.com/events/701583769993223/
———–
On April 27, 2016, over 700 NYPD and federal officers, using military-grade equipment, executed the largest mass raid in NYC history, in Eastchester Gardens in the Bronx. 120 people were arrested and indicted on the basis of ‘conspiracy charges.’ The NYPD and the feds are using conspiracy charges and social media monitoring to indict whole social networks. Some of the men indicted have already been acquitted for the charges on a state level, but under Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), they are being charged on a federal level for conspiring to commit the crime. The use of RICO in Black and Brown communities is a continuation of strategies, such as COINTELPRO, the street sweep and stop-and-frisk, used to terrorize communities of color and perpetuate mass incarceration. The newly appointed police commissioner James O’Neill oversaw the arrests of the Bronx 120, and we can be certain that under his regime that these mass raids and kidnapping of young, black men will continue.

To donate to the legal & commissary fund:
https://www.youcaring.com/targets-of-the-eastchester-raids-and-their-families-640725

Alexi Shalom
Organizer
UAW Local 2325 – Assoc. of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO)
50 Broadway, Suite 1600
NY, NY 10004-3817
Phone: (212) 343-0708
Fax: (212) 343-0966
Cell: (347) 417-1715

TIME: ACLA MAY DAY PROTEST MAY 2 5PM

From: Sampeur, Jane-Roberte
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 1:51 PM
To: CRIMINAL ATTYS ALL; 1199 Members; CIVIL BENEFITS CHAT GROUP; CIVIL BKLYN AGING ALL; CIVIL BNO ALL; CIVIL BRONX ALL; CIVIL CONSUMER LAW CHAT GROUP; CIVIL DAP CHAT GROUP; CIVIL EMPLOYMENT LAW ALL; JUVENILE ATTYS ALL; JUVENILE APPEALS ALL; CIVIL EXTERN ATTYS ALL; CIVIL FAMILY CHAT GROUP; CIVIL HCLO ALL; CIVIL HEALTH LAW ALL; CIVIL HOMELESS RIGHTS ALL; CIVIL HOUSING ADVOCATES CHAT GROUP; CIVIL IMMIGRATION ALL; CIVIL LAW REFORM ALL
Cc: Narumanchi, Bharati
Subject: TIME: ACLA MAY DAY PROTEST MAY 2 5PM

**ACLA invites all of Legal Aid to join us in our May Day Protest** 

*End the Mass Criminalization of Black and Brown Communities* 

Let’s express our outrage  over:

–        The disparate treatment given to Peter Liang in sentencing

–        NYPD killing of black men.

–        Injustice and indignities caused by the actions of the NYPD and supported by the criminal justice system.

 

Let’s demand D.A. Thompson and the NYPD:

–        Increase alternatives to incarceration

–        End  outrageous offers given to our clients

–        End unfair and unjust sentencing recommendations

–        End Vertical Patrol

–        End Broken Windows

–        End Operation Spotlight

–        End The War on Drugs

 

When: Monday May 2 at  5PM

Where: In Front of the Brooklyn D.A.’s office

350 Jay Street, Brooklyn

FYI: Nixon Policy Advisor Admits He Invented War On Drugs to Suppress ‘Anti-War Left and Black People’

From: Letwin, Michael
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2016 12:14 PM
To: CRIMINAL ATTYS ALL; 1199 Members; CIVIL BENEFITS CHAT GROUP; CIVIL BKLYN AGING ALL; CIVIL BNO ALL; CIVIL BRONX ALL; CIVIL CONSUMER LAW CHAT GROUP; CIVIL DAP CHAT GROUP; CIVIL EMPLOYMENT LAW ALL; JUVENILE ATTYS ALL; JUVENILE APPEALS ALL; CIVIL EXTERN ATTYS ALL; CIVIL FAMILY CHAT GROUP; CIVIL HCLO ALL; CIVIL HEALTH LAW ALL; CIVIL HOMELESS RIGHTS ALL; CIVIL HOUSING ADVOCATES CHAT GROUP; CIVIL IMMIGRATION ALL; CIVIL PRP ALL; CIVIL LAW REFORM ALL; CRIMINAL ATTYS ALL
Subject: FYI: Nixon Policy Advisor Admits He Invented War On Drugs to Suppress ‘Anti-War Left and Black People’

“The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. You understand what I’m saying? We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.”

http://jezebel.com/nixons-policy-advisor-admits-he-invented-war-on-drugs-t-1766359595?utm_medium=sharefromsite&utm_source=Jezebel_twitter

FYI: New York Cannabis Bar Association – meeting Sat. Dec. 5 @ 2PM

From: Letwin, Michael
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2015 10:44 AM
To: CRIMINAL ATTYS ALL
Subject: FYI: New York Cannabis Bar Association – meeting Sat. Dec. 5 @ 2PM

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Deborah Hrbek
Date: Sat, Nov 21, 2015 at 11:13 PM
Subject: New York Cannabis Bar Association – meeting Sat. Dec. 5 @ 2PM

If you are receiving this email it is because you are already part of the NY Cannabis Bar Association, or you have expressed interest in getting involved, or you are being invited now!

Next meeting of the newly formed NY Cannabis Bar Association is on Saturday, December 5 @ 2PM at Debbie Hrbek’s office:

295 Madison Avenue, 22^nd Floor, New York, NY 10017 – ENTRANCE ON E.41^stSTREET between Madison & Park

PHOTO ID NEEDED to enter the building.

Founding members:

Margaret Kunstler

Deborah Hrbek

Sarah Kunstler

Gideon Oliver

Candace Martin

Amy Benjamin

Our goal is to develop a strong peer group of progressive New York attorneys from all backgrounds and areas of expertise, in order to:

–          expand the practice of cannabis law in New York;

–          share information about NYS medical marijuana regulations, including their application and potential for expansion of access to medical marijuana in New York;

–          collaborate on cannabis law and related cases;

–          provide a forum for intelligent discussion about how best to provide quality legal services to patients, doctors, investors, growers, dispensary applicants, ancillary business owners and activists in New York’s medical marijuana community and beyond.

Please forward this email to any New York attorneys, law students and legal workers who you think would be interested in getting involved.

Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, agenda items, etc.

If you can’t make this meeting don’t worry, there will be more.  Just let us know if you want to be kept informed of meetings and other activities in this “growing” field of law.  And check out our new website: www.cannabar.org.

PLEASE RSVP by replying to this email to let me know if you are able to join us on December 5.

Best,

Deborah Hrbek

Hrbek Law LLC

www.hrbeklaw.com

295 Madison Avenue, 22^nd Floor

New York, NY 10017

212.480.2400

This email may contain information that is protected by attorney-client privilege.  No one other than the intended recipient is authorized to read, copy, forward or otherwise review or communicate the contents of this email.  If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email.

2014.06.10: MORE OF THE SAME: The NYPD’s Marijuana Arrests in 2014

From: Letwin, Michael
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 12:02 PM
To: 1199 Members; ALAA MEMBERS
Subject: MORE OF THE SAME: The NYPD’s Marijuana Arrests in 2014

______________________________

Data Update, June 2014  / from Marijuana Arrest Research Project
Contact Loren Siegel: 917-584-0869
______________________________

80 MARIJUANA POSSESSION ARRESTS A DAY
IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 2014 IS

MORE OF THE SAME:

NYPD daily marijuana possession arrest numbers are the same under
de Blasio and Bratton as they were under Bloomberg and Kelly

In the first four months of 2014, the NYPD under Mayor de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bratton arrested an average of 80 people a day for possessing small amounts of marijuana.

This is virtually the same as the NYPD’s average of 78 marijuana possession arrests a day in all of 2013 under Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly.

The most recent data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) shows that marijuana arrest patterns in the first four months of 2014 under de Blasio and Bratton are indistinguishable from those of their predecessors in 2013.

See graphs and this release online at:
http://marijuana-arrests.com/docs/MORE-OF-THE-SAME–NYC-Marijuana-Arrests-June2014.pdf

In 2013 blacks and Latinos were 87% of the people arrested for marijuana possession.
In the first four months of 2014, blacks and Latinos were 86% of the people arrested.

In 2013 teenagers between 16 and 20 were 29% of the people arrested.
So far in 2014 teens are also 29% of arrestees.

In 2013 young people between ages 21 and 25 were 27% of those arrested for marijuana possession, exactly the same as in the first third of 2014.

In 2013 people between the ages of 26 and 29 were 12% of those arrested.
In the first four months of 2014 they were 13% of those arrested.

In 2013, young people between the ages of 16 and 34 comprised 78% of all people arrested forsimple marijuana possession.
In 2014 so far, they are 79% of those arrested.

In 2013, 72% of those arrested for marijuana possession had no prior convictions of any kind, not even for a single misdemeanor. In 2014, the comparable figure is 73%.

In short, the NYPD is primarily arresting ordinary high school students, college students and young workers, most of whom are blacks and Latinos.  Yet young people of color use marijuana less than young whites, as U.S. government studies have long shown.  At the current pace, New York City’s number of marijuana possession arrests in 2014 will match the number made in 2013.

Although Commissioner Bratton has stated that marijuana arrests have dropped under his command, the numbers provided by the NYS DCJS do not support that claim.

In fact, in March and April of 2014 the number of people arrested for simple marijuana possession was higher than in March and April of 2013:

In March 2013, the NYPD made 2,438 arrests, an average of 79 marijuana arrests a day.
In March 2014, the NYPD made 2,657 arrests, an average of 86 marijuana arrests a day.

In April 2013, the NYPD made 2,578 arrests, an average of 86 marijuana arrests a day.
In April 2014, the NYPD made 2,619 arrests, an average of 87 marijuana arrests a day.

In the first four months of 2014 the NYPD’s marijuana possession arrests were still primarily concentrated in neighborhoods where most residents are blacks and Latinos, and not in neighborhoods where most residents are whites and all others.

For example, in Manhattan police made a total of 8 possession arrests in the Upper East Side (Pct. 19) and 8 in the Upper West Side (Pct. 20).  But in East New York in Brooklyn (Pct. 75), police made 500 possession arrests, and in Morris Heights in the Bronx (Pct. 44), police made 392 such arrests.  The NYPD also made 371 lowest-level marijuana arrests in Washington Heights (Pct. 33) which is more marijuana possession arrests than in 20 other precincts throughout the city combined.  Thus far in 2014, the policing of marijuana possession remains concentrated in just one of what Mayor de Blasio has called “the two New Yorks.”

There is also still no evidence that 80 arrests a day for possession of small amounts of marijuana makes New York safer.  Indeed, as Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries has pointed out, the arrests take police officers off the streets and away from other crime fighting work. Further, as candidate de Blasio said during his mayoral campaign:

“Low-level marijuana possession arrests have disastrous consequences for individuals and their families. These arrests limit one’s ability to qualify for student financial aid and undermine one’s ability to find stable housing and good jobs. What’s more, recent studies demonstrate clear racial bias in arrests for low-level possession… This policy is unjust and wrong.”

________________________

Loren Siegel and Harry Levine,  Marijuana Arrest Research Project / http://marijuana-arrests.com/

This Data Update Report and accompanying charts is on the web at:
http://marijuana-arrests.com/docs/MORE-OF-THE-SAME–NYC-Marijuana-Arrests-June2014.pdf

Our previous Data Report showing the marijuana arrests in the first three months of 2014 is here:
http://marijuana-arrests.com/docs/NYC-First-quarter-2014-marijuana-arrests-Press-Release-with-graphs.pdf

2014.01.28: Memorial for Ramarley Graham 2/3 at 5pm

From: Arafa, Noha
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 1:06 PM
To: ALAA MEMBERS; 1199 Members
Subject: Memorial for Ramarley Graham 2/3 at 5pm

o

Monday, February 3, 2014

o

5:00pm until 9:00pm

Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church Address: 3751 White Plains Road, (btwn. 218 and 219th Street) Bronx, New York 10466

February 2nd will mark 2 years since Ramarley was taken from us and in his honor there will be a memorial to commemorate his life with us, families, friends and the community. You can take the #2 train to the 219th stop. Please spread the word and lets raise our voices as we did when you first heard of the unjustifiable act by an Officer in the NYPD. Thank you for your continuous support and we look forward to seeing you. Constance Malcolm Franclot Graham www.ramarleyscall.net ramarleyscall@gmail.com

2014.01.14: Brooklyn Lunch time presentation: Cop Watch

From:    Arafa, Noha

Sent:   Tuesday, January 14, 2014 3:08 PM

To:     ALAA MEMBERS; 1199 Members

Subject:        Brooklyn Lunch time presentation:  Cop Watch

 

Lunch time presentation:

COP WATCH

Wednesday, January 22, 1-2pm,

7th Floor conference room

Introduction by: Steve Wasserman, ALAA, Special Lit

Presentation by: Aidge Patterson,  People’s Justice, Cop Watch;  and Djibril Toure Malcolm X Grassroots Movement

Cop Watch maintains multiple patrols around NYC, including Brooklyn, to monitor and record the police stops.  Their patrols in Brooklyn include BedStuy, East Flatbush, and Bushwick, and patrols will begin in East New York in the spring. To support and expand their work they have developed close relationships with various legal entities, including the Center for Constitutional Rights.

Several staff members are already involved in supporting Cop Watch’s work, andALAA’s Executive Board has voted to be a sponsor of Cop Watch NYC. Join usfor a conversation about what Cop Watch is and how we can expand our involvement and support.

More info on Cop Watch, NYC from their website:

“Cop Watch NYC exists to help citizens document police conduct and hold the police accountable.

We provide resources, support and best practices for individuals, organizations and teams of community members who want to safely and legally conduct Cop Watch in their communities. We want you to be prepared before you begin Cop Watching, and to have the ability to quickly access important tips and resources from your phone, or mobile device while you are in the streets or on patrol.

If police know that we are always watching, and that we are aware of our rights, they’ll be less likely to harass and abuse people in our communities – and we’ll have the evidence we need to hold them accountable when they do.”

Djibril Toure of Malcolm X Grassroots Movement will also be here presenting. Djibril has been involved in this work for long time, and was one of the plaintiffs inthe original Stop n Frisk federal case, Daniels vs. NYC (which forced the City to hand over the statistics that laid the basis for the 2nd and most recent Stop and Frisk case, Floyd vs. NYC)

Cop Watch is project of ColorOfChange.org, in partnership with Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) and Peoples’ Justice for Community Control & Police Accountability (Peoples’ Justice)

 

2013.10.28: Pack the Court this Tuesday – Appellate Arguments in Stop and Frisk Cas

From: Arafa, Noha
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2013 10:43 AM
To: ALAA MEMBERS
Subject: Pack the Court this Tuesday – Appellate Arguments in Stop and Frisk Case

——– Original message ——–
From: Center for Constitutional Rights <alerts@ccrjustice.org>
Date: 10/28/2013 9:31 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: noha.arafa@gmail.com
Subject: Pack the Court this Tuesday – Appellate Arguments in Stop and Frisk Case

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Dear CCR Supporter, Please pack the court this Tuesday, October 29, at 11 a.m. for oral argument in Floyd, et al. v. City of New York, our successful challenge, along with co-counsel Beldock, Levine & Hoffman, LLP and Covington & Burling, LLP, to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) stop and frisk practices. Plaintiffs’ attorneys will argue against the City’s motion for a stay and demonstrate why the reform process should go forward now rather than waiting months (or longer) for resolution of the City’s appeal of the case. Floyd was brought on behalf of the millions of New Yorkers illegally stopped and frisked by the NYPD over the past eight years and was the first – and largest – federal class action lawsuit challenging the NYPD’s stop and frisk practices. In August, District Court Judge Shira A. Scheindlin ordered a sweeping reform process after she found that the NYPD has engaged in a widespread practice of unconstitutional and racially discriminatory stops and frisks. Later that month, the Mayor and the City appealed her decision and filed a motion to stay the reform process, which Judge Scheindlin rejected. Now the Mayor and the City have filed a motion for a stay in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Earlier this month, community groups, labor organizations, and other allies flooded the steps of City Hall and submitted declarations to the Court of Appeals, explaining why this remedial process needs to move forward. What: Oral arguments opposing a stay in Floyd v. the City of New York When: Tuesday, October 29 from 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (We suggest arriving at least 30-45 minutes early to clear security and obtain a seat in the courtroom.) Where: Second Circuit Court of Appeals, 40 Foley Sq., Courtroom 1705 Please check our event page here for updates. See you this Tuesday! Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Vincent Warren Executive Director

2013.09.03: Rally for Ramarley Graham: Join us as we rally for the Justice Department’s help

From: Arafa, Noha
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 10:45 AM
To: ALAA MEMBERS; 1199 Members
Subject: Rally fpor Ramarley Graham: Join us as we rally for the Justice Department’s help

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Ramarleyscall graham <ramarleyscall@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Aug 31, 2013 at 6:32 PM
Subject: Join us as we rally for the Justice Department’s help
To: Ramarleyscall graham <ramarleyscall@gmail.com>

Hello everyone,

We are at the stage where we need your help as much as we need to see Richard Haste pays for the crime he committed.  The Justice Department agreed that they will look into the case involving the murder of Ramarley Graham and we need to show them that while we appreciate them looking into the case, we need them to take the case and show the nation and NYPD that Richard Haste VIOLATED Ramarleys Civil Rights.

If the corrupt Judicial System of the Bronx County cannot see that Richard Haste killed Ramarley forabsolutely NO Reason, then We are asking the Justice Department to Let Richard Haste Go to Jail fora Reason.

Please join us as we rally and raise our voices on September 6th at 5:00pm at 110th Street and Lenox avenue to the State Office Building at 125th Street.

Thank you for your continuous support in the fight for Justice for Ramarley

Ramarleys Call

2013.06.03: FW: No Appeal, Reconvene

From: Gusberg, Jessica
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 9:34 AM
To: 1199 Members; ALAA MEMBERS
Subject: FW: No Appeal, Reconvene

Hi All,

Please see the information below from Ramarley Graham’s parents requesting that we call, fax, and email the Bronx DA’s office ASAP to demand a date for the convening of a new grand jury in the case against Richard Haste. This is a quick and easy process with specific directions below.

Ramarley’s family is also holding a rally at the Bronx DA’s office on Wednesday June 5th at 12pm. See attached flyer and come support if you are able!!

 

---

From: Ramarley’s Call <ramarleyscall@gmail.com>

To: Ramarley’s Call <ramarleyscall@gmail.com>

Sent: Tue, May 28, 2013 12:47 pm

Subject: No Appeal, Reconvene

 

We need your help to get justice for our son! ~ Parents of Ramarley Graham

 

Call, email & fax Bronx DA to demand he announce the date of a new grand jury by June 4!

 

We need your help to push Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson to announce the date he will convene a new grand jury to indict Richard Haste, the NYPD officer who killed our son.  We demand this new date be announced by June 4! We do NOT want the DA to appeal Judge Steven Barrett’s decision to drop the indictment. That will take too long!

 

As you may know the judge threw out Haste’s indictment on May 15, 2013, because the prosecutor’s office failed to properly instruct the grand jury indicted Haste for killing on two counts of manslaughter. DA Robert Johnson is now deciding if he will appeal the judge’s decision or reconvene a new grand jury.

 

In the coming months we will strengthen and expand our efforts to win just for Ramarley.  We will not stop until Richard Haste is in prison for killing our son.

 

Right now we need everyone to call, email & fax the Bronx District Attorney’s office and demand that he announce the date on which he will be reconvene new grand jury by June 4. Justice delayed, is justice denied!

 

Contact info for Bronx District Attorney’s Office

Phone: 718.590.2000

Email angueirl@bronxda.nyc.gov

Fax: 718.590.2198

 

Sample of what to say if you call (718.590.2000):

Hello, I’m a Bronx resident [if you are not a Bronx resident say you are a New Yorker]. I’m calling to ask that DA Robert Johnson announce the date on which he will reconvene grand jury in the case of NYPD Officer Richard Haste by June 4, 2013. I do NOT want the DA to appeal Judge Barrett’s decision to drop the indictment. That will take to long.

 

Sample fax:  Print out one of the two attachments and fax it to 718.590.2198.

 

Sample email ( angueirl@bronxda.nyc.gov):

To Whom It May Concern:

 

I am a concerned Bronx resident [if you are not a Bronx resident say you are a New Yorker] .  

 

I am writing to ask the District Attorney Robert Johnson to reconvene a grand jury for the case of Richard Haste, the NYPD officer who killed Ramarley Graham on Feb. 2, 2012.  I was troubled when Judge Steve Barrett overturned the original indictment on May 15 base on a technicality.  I am deeply concerned that justice is being delayed in this case.

 

In the strongest terms possible, I urge the DA to announce the date on which a new grand jury will be convened by or before June 4.

 

Thank you for your consideration.

 

Sincerely,

xxxxx

 

 

Also, please help us spread the word on social media:

 

Sample Facebook Posts

The parents of Ramarley Graham need your help to push Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson to announce the date he’s reconvening a grand jury by June 4! The family is asking everyone to call, email, and fax the Bronx District Attorney’s office at Phone: 718.590.2000/ Emailangueirl@bronxda.nyc.gov/ Fax: 718.590.2198

 

 

NO Appeal! The parents of Ramarley Graham are demanding a grand jury be reconvened immediately!!! They ask that you call, email, and fax Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson at718.590.2000/ Email: angueirl@bronxda.nyc.gov/ Fax: 718.590.2198and demand he give the family the date he plans to reconvene a grand jury by June 4.

 

 

Call Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson and demand the date he plans to reconvene a grand jury by June 4! NO APPEAL! Justice for Ramarley Graham! 718.590.2000/ Email:angueirl@bronxda.nyc.gov/ Fax: 718.590.2198

 

Sample Tweets

# RamarleyGraham’s parents ask NYers to call Bx DA. Demand he announce the date a grand jury will be reconvened by June 4 718.590.2000

 

NO APPEAL!  Call, email & fax Bx DA. Demand he announce the date of a new grand jury by June 4 # RamarleyGraham[link to the flyer, facebook event or photo]    

 

Justice 4 # RamarleyGraham! Let DA Johnson know he has til June 4 to tell us the date he will reconvene the grand jury [link to the flyer, facebook event or photo]    

 

NO APPEAL! Tell Bx DA Johnson to tell us when he’s convening the grand jury by June 4 th (P)718.590.2000[link to the [link to the flyer, facebook event or photo]    

 

 

 

We thank you in advance for your support.

 

We cannot do this without your help,

 

Constance Malcolm & Frank Graham – Parents of Ramarley Graham