NEW YORK, N.Y. – The NAACP has condemned a federal appeals court for granting a stay that will block implementation of changes to New York City’s stop-and-frisk program, and also for removing Judge Schira Scheindlin from the case.
NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous:
“’Stop-and-frisk’ policing is nothing less than the largest racial profiling program in the country, and Judge Scheindlin was right to rule it unconstitutional. No matter the outcome of this appeal, the people of New York City have already voted to reform the program despite the best efforts of Mayor Bloomberg. Legalized racial profiling has been discredited and will ultimately be relegated to the dustbin of history.”
NAACP Criminal Justice Director Dr. Niaz Kasravi:
“This is a disappointing roadblock in the effort to fight profiling on New York City’s streets. Judge Scheindlin’s decision responded to vast amounts of evidence that the NYPD profiled based on race, ethnicity, LGBT-status, and faith. We will continue to fight until we end bias-based policing in New York City and across the country.”
New York NAACP and New York City NAACP President Hazel Dukes:
“Communities of color across New York City have been discriminated by law enforcement for far too long. We have fought too long and too hard to stop fighting now. We will continue to demand protections for our civil and human rights.”
Earlier this summer, in Floyd, et al. v. City of New York, et al, Judge Schiendlin ruled that the NYPD violated the Constitution in the way it carried out its program of stopping and questioning people. She assigned a federal monitor to help the police department change its policy and training program.
In August, the New York City Council voted to override Mayor Bloomberg’s veto of the Community Safety Act, a bundle of legislation that bans racial and religious profiling, establishes an NYPD Inspector General Office, and provides greater protection against unlawful search and seizure.
New York City appealed the case, and this afternoon the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it would stay the decision, as well as Judge Scheindlin’s remedies.
