Statement of ALAA Regarding Mayor Eric Adams’ proposed “Blueprint to End Gun Violence”

January 25, 2022

Contact: Lisa Ohta, lohta@alaa.org 

Statement of ALAA Regarding Mayor Eric Adams’ proposed 

“Blueprint to End Gun Violence”

We are dismayed and disappointed by Mayor Eric Adams proposed “Blueprint to End Gun Violence” which, rather than addressing the root causes of violence in our city, attempts to shift blame and responsibility onto marginalized communities and the dedicated public defenders who have been representing New Yorkers throughout the pandemic.

The unifying theme throughout the Mayor’s proposal seems to be that defendants should be considered guilty until they are proven innocent.  Mayor Adams has put forward a number of proposals in his “Blueprint” which ostensibly seek to address gun violence in New York City.  However, with no regard for the constitutional rights of defendants, the Mayor proposes punishing defendants who cannot afford bail, charging children as adults, allowing prosecutors to withhold exculpatory evidence, and increase already outrageous sentencing requirements.  We are encouraged by the numerous statements from New York State Legislators opposing these unjust and cruel proposals which do not serve the interest of justice.

Moreover, Mayor Adams has shown no understanding of the work our members do, referring to defense lawyers, public defenders, and what the Mayor calls “legal aids” as separate categories.  Mayor Adams has also falsely claimed in his “blueprint” that our members need to be “back in our courtrooms.”  The reality is that our members have been in New York City courtrooms virtually and in person non-stop over the last two years supporting New Yorkers in crisis, including those facing eviction, deportation, family separation, bankruptcy and criminal charges.  

Additionally, the Mayor makes the unbelievable claim that one of the main issues facing New York City’s court system is the existence of a social distancing requirement in the Courts.  In reality, we have repeatedly witnessed that the larger problem is the total lack of compliance or enforcement of any COVID protocols by the Mayor’s own NYPD and DOC staff in addition to court officers and OCA personnel.  We receive daily notifications that court staff, jurors, judges and our own members are testing positive for COVID. The Mayor’s proposal is a significant erosion of the current safety measures that will only serve to further harm the most vulnerable in the courts.

The innovative, transformative, and zealous work performed by our members on behalf of our clients is unmatched nationwide.  We call on our allies in the New York City Council to vigorously oppose any attempt by the Mayor to withhold or withdraw funding for political reasons, particularly when he has signaled his intentions to increase the budget of the NYPD including the revival of the racist Anti-Crime Unit, while cutting funding to vital public services that would actually address the inequities our clients face every day. 

To the Mayor, let us be clear: despite the total lack of cooperation from OCA or DCAS to show that courthouses are safe for staff, the public, and our members, we are there in person every single day, representing the people of New York City that your proposals will effectively criminalize.  We invite you and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to finally partner with us and share information to make sure that our courthouses are safe for all.

The Association of Legal Aid Attorneys - UAW Local 2325 is a labor union representing more than 2,700 public interest lawyers and legal staff at 22 organizations, including nearly all of New York City’s public defense organizations.