Streetwise and Safe

At the close of each summer, the predominately Carribean and Black enclave of Crown Heights celebrates Jouvert and the West Indian Day Parade.  It is a highly anticipated and memorable celebration of the music, food, customs, community and the enduring hope and indominitable spirit that is West Indian culture in Brooklyn. But for Brooklyn councilman Jumaane Williams and Public Advocate staffer Kirsten Foy, the parade would become another memorable example of the widening chasm between the NYPD and Black working class communities, often set off by miscommunication and cultural misunderstandings. The two public servants were making a routine passage through police checkpoints en route to the Brooklyn Museum when they were apprehended by police for what councilman Williams believes was his dreadlocked hair and dark skin color. Even after the two showed the appropriate identification, they were still apprehended by police for undetermined reasons. Council member Williams would like answers as evidenced by a recent press conference. Sadly due to the NYPDs ultra aggressive, unconstitutional and unfounded stop and frisk policies, more hardworking men, women and LGBTQ people of color will be detained while on their way to the bodega or on their way to the Brooklyn Museum. STAY TUNED FOR MORE on a mounting city-wide campaign to challenge the NYPD’s stop and frisk practices!