The rally was largely composed of members of VOCAL-NY’s User Union, a group of past and present drug users mobilized by demands for safe use, harm reduction and the general right to live in a society that often abandons and fails them. Read More
CONTACT: Jasmine Budnella, jasmine@vocal-ny.org, 720-480-5262 GOVERNOR HOCHUL MUST ACT FOLLOWING NYS LEGISLATURE’S FAILURE TO ADDRESS UNPRECEDENTED OVERDOSE CRISIS Both Houses Failed to Pass Life-saving Bill that Meets this Moment of Unprecedented Loss, Even After Seeing 300+ Lives Saved at Overdose Prevention Centers in NYC More New Yorkers Die from Preventable Overdose than to Car Accidents,
“I myself right now am experiencing discrimination still. I have recently gotten a section eight voucher that my landlord fails to actually confirm that he’s actually willing to accept it. Legally he has to, but I haven’t gotten a response to my email asking that,” Felix Guzman of Vocal-NY said. “It just doesn’t make sense
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“This legislation is essential to fast-tracking the creation of desperately needed housing across our state,” said Tracie Adams, a leader with the organization VOCAL-NY. Read More
The first time our criminal legal system failed me was in 1996. At the age of 26, I had recently moved into a friend’s home after living in the Wards Island shelter. I barely had time to get settled when I was arrested on a robbery charge for allegedly stealing VHS tapes and $10. When
New York Daily News: N.Y.’s wrongfully convicted need a true path to justice Read More »
“Few things undermine the credibility of the criminal legal system as much as the incredible tolerance law enforcement and elected officials seem to have for wrongful convictions,” said Nick Encalada-Malinowski, civil rights campaign director for VOCAL-NY, an advocacy group championing the bills. “The Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act, which we now know is widely supported by
CONTACT Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 GOV. HOCHUL, YOU FAILED US: VOCAL-NY CONDEMNS FINAL BUDGET THAT NEGLECTS HOMELESS NEW YORKERS AND ENABLES MASS INCARCERATION After Promises to be Different Than Cuomo, Gov. Hochul Final Budget Offers More of the Same Failed Tactics, Without Investments in Evidence-Based Solutions Gov. Hochul Will Have a Direct Hand in the
Bail reform advocates made their message loud and clear as Democratic lawmakers gathered for an update on budget negotiations behind closed doors on Monday, days past the deadline. “We are here to ask lawmakers to make a conscious decision not to trade Black and Brown lives for political theater,” said John McFarlane of Vocal NY.
CBS NY: New York lawmakers struggle with bail reform as part of budget negotiations Read More »
CONTACTJasmine Budnella, Jasmine@vocal-ny.org, 720-480-5262 Mariah McGough, Mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203-470-9979 SAFER CONSUMPTION SERVICES ACT: 230 ORGANIZATIONS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THE OVERDOSE CRISIS, AND PEOPLE DIRECTLY IMPACTED URGE LEGISLATURE TO PASS LIFE-SAVING LEGISLATION In Letter, First Covered in Times Union and Available Here, Groups Warn Lack of Action Will Result in Years of Continued Record-Breaking Preventable Overdose Deaths The Nation’s First Overdose Prevention Centers
“We’re watching the legacy of Cuomo’s 10 years of underfunding, cutting funding, neglecting legislation, rejecting evidence-based solutions play out in real-time — on top of an unstable drug supply, on top of the legacy of 50 years of the drug war,” said Jasmine Budnella, director of drug policy for VOCAL-NY, a group that advocates for
