CAIR-NY Welcomes NY AG Investigation into NYPD Targeting of Communities of Color on NYC Subways

Photo by Billy Williams on Unsplash

(NEW YORK, N.Y. 1/14/20) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the New York Attorney General James’ investigation into the NYPD for its illegal targeting of communities of color on New York City subways through the enforcement of fare evasion laws. 

The Attorney General’s investigation comes after advocates and communities expressed outraged over the increased enforcement of fare evasion policies.  

SEE: New York's attorney general is investigating whether the NYPD illegally targeted people of color for subway fare evasion (CNN)

The increased enforcement was preceded by an announcement by Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio that 500 additional uniformed officers would be added to the New York City Transit system””a plan that has been called a “misuse of funds.” 

SEE: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/20/opinion/subways-police.html (New York Times)

In a statement, CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed said:

“CAIR-NY welcomes Attorney General James’ investigation into the NYPD’s discriminatory policing in our subways. New Yorkers deserve a fair and discrimination free transit system. Criminalizing and targeting communities of color through broken windows policing is immoral, does not make us safer, and must not be tolerated. The NYPD should be in the business of keeping us safe, not criminalizing poverty and race. We thank AG James for her leadership and look forward to the day when the NYPD is held accountable for its abuses.”

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com, 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006