New York State

VOCAL-NY Responds to Gov. Hochul Budget Letter Directing State Agencies to Do More With Less Funding 

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org  VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO GOV. HOCHUL BUDGET LETTER DIRECTING STATE AGENCIES TO DO MORE WITH LESS FUNDING NEW YORK — Yesterday, Governor Hochul’s Division of Budget sent a letter to New York State agency commissioners calling for “new revenues to backfill unanticipated losses.” In response, VOCAL-NY released the follow statement, attributable to Nick Encalada-Malinowski, Civil Rights Campaign […]

VOCAL-NY Responds to Gov. Hochul Budget Letter Directing State Agencies to Do More With Less Funding  Read More »

Gov. Kathy Hochul Refuses to Address NYS Prisons Crisis, VOCAL-NY Demands Relief Through Executive Clemency

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Hassen Bashir, hassen@vocal-ny.org GOV. KATHY HOCHUL REFUSES TO ADDRESS NYS PRISONS CRISIS, VOCAL-NY DEMANDS RELIEF THROUGH EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY  NEW YORK  — This year, Governor Hochul has granted pardons to only 13 individuals while largely ignoring her executive power to commute lengthy sentences and provide greater relief through clemency to those suffering inside prisons. Prisons across the state remain

Gov. Kathy Hochul Refuses to Address NYS Prisons Crisis, VOCAL-NY Demands Relief Through Executive Clemency Read More »

Following Yet Another Death in NYC Jails, VOCAL-NY Demands Decarceration of Rikers and Compassionate Release for Sick Detainees

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Hassen Bashir, hassen@vocal-ny.org FOLLOWING YET ANOTHER DEATH IN NYC JAILS, VOCAL-NY DEMANDS DECARCERATION OF RIKERS AND COMPASSIONATE RELEASE FOR SICK DETAINEES NEW YORK — Following the death of Christian Collado on Wednesday, July 9 — the 41st reported death under Department of Corrections custody NYC jails since Mayor Adams took office — VOCAL-NY members and leaders demand change and accountability

Following Yet Another Death in NYC Jails, VOCAL-NY Demands Decarceration of Rikers and Compassionate Release for Sick Detainees Read More »

VOCAL-NY Demands Passage of Meaningful Systemic Justice Reforms Before Session Ends

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY DEMANDS PASSAGE OF MEANINGFUL SYSTEMIC JUSTICE REFORMS BEFORE SESSION ENDS Legislative Leaders Must Step Up and Create Pathways for Prison Release An Estimated 75 Deaths Have Occurred in NYS Prisons Since Robert Brooks’ Death NEW YORK — VOCAL-NY members and leaders are frustrated by the failure of the Governor and the legislature to advance systemic reforms

VOCAL-NY Demands Passage of Meaningful Systemic Justice Reforms Before Session Ends Read More »

NEW REPORT: Lack of Internet Access in NYC Shelters Impeding Wellbeing, Job, and Housing Opportunities

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org NEW REPORT: LACK OF INTERNET ACCESS IN NYC SHELTERS IMPEDING WELLBEING, JOB, AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES See Coverage in Gothamist on New Report Shelter Residents Past and Present Call on Lawmakers to Advance #WiFi4Homeless Legislation NEW YORK — Today, VOCAL-NY and Take Root Justice released “Wi-Fi For All: The Need for Wi-fi Access in NYC’s Shelter System,” a

NEW REPORT: Lack of Internet Access in NYC Shelters Impeding Wellbeing, Job, and Housing Opportunities Read More »

Formerly Incarcerated New Yorkers, Advocates and Legislators Demand Albany Take Action to End Mass Incarceration in New York State

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Nick Encalada-Malinowski  / 347-259-4835 FORMERLY INCARCERATED NEW YORKERS, ADVOCATES AND LEGISLATORS DEMAND ALBANY TAKE ACTION TO END MASS INCARCERATION IN NEW YORK STATE Community Members Call for the Immediate Passage of Popular Legislation ALBANY, NY – Formerly Incarcerated New Yorkers, allies and elected officials rallied  in Albany on May 28th at 11AM to highlight the

Formerly Incarcerated New Yorkers, Advocates and Legislators Demand Albany Take Action to End Mass Incarceration in New York State Read More »

Long Overdue: NYS Legislature Funds Fraction of HAVP Over Four Years, VOCAL-NY Reiterates Calls for a Fully Funded Version

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org  LONG OVERDUE: NYS LEGISLATURE FUNDS FRACTION OF HAVP OVER FOUR YEARS, VOCAL-NY REITERATES CALLS FOR A FULLY FUNDED VERSION New Funding Will Save Lives, But Not Enough to Help More Than 158,000 Homeless New Yorkers and Many More Rent-Burdened Households At Risk of Homelessness VOCAL-NY Reiterates Calls for Full $250 Million in

Long Overdue: NYS Legislature Funds Fraction of HAVP Over Four Years, VOCAL-NY Reiterates Calls for a Fully Funded Version Read More »

VOCAL-NY Condemns Suspension of HALT Act

Press Statements / By

For Immediate Release:  Contact: Nick Encalada-Malinowski nick@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY Condemns Suspension of HALT Act The following statement is attributable to Roger Clark, VOCAL-NY Community Leader.  “After an illegal strike, seemingly to deflect attention from Robert Brooks’ tragic death, prison guards and Governor Hochul are colluding to suspend the HALT Act- a move that would be blatantly illegal without legislative

VOCAL-NY Condemns Suspension of HALT Act Read More »

VOCAL-NY Responds to State of the State: Affordability, Compassion and Safety for Whom?

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO STATE OF THE STATE: AFFORDABILITY, COMPASSION AND SAFETY FOR WHOM?  See VOCAL-NY’s 2025 State Legislative Platform Here NEW YORK — Today, Governor Hochul gave her 2025 State of the State address, laying out priorities like affordability and public safety. In response, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to

VOCAL-NY Responds to State of the State: Affordability, Compassion and Safety for Whom? Read More »

POOR AND WORKING-CLASS NEW YORKERS CALL ON HOUSE MEMBER MIKE LAWLER TO DELIVER FOR THE PEOPLE

Press Statements / By

CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 POOR AND WORKING-CLASS NEW YORKERS CALL ON HOUSE MEMBER MIKE LAWLER TO DELIVER FOR THE PEOPLE Leaders of Grassroots Groups Requested a Meeting With Lawler to Discuss Raising Wages, Lowering The Cost Of Living, Tackling NY’s Affordable Housing Crisis, Protecting Critical Federal Funds and More NEW YORK —

POOR AND WORKING-CLASS NEW YORKERS CALL ON HOUSE MEMBER MIKE LAWLER TO DELIVER FOR THE PEOPLE Read More »

Scroll to Top