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NY State House Meetings Resume This Week—Pressure And Attention To Act On Legislation Is Timely

New York, NY (June 8, 2020) Today, a united music community including top artists, managers, major and independent record companies, songwriters and publishers, and affiliated organizations publicly released a letter supporting the long running campaign to repeal section 50-A of New York’s Civil Rights Law. 

Section 50-A hides records of police misconduct and abuse from the public. It is part of the infrastructure of secrecy that undermines reform of the police and justice for victims in New York. 

In October 2019, the state legislature held a hearing on 50-A, which included public commentary. With the killing of George Floyd sparking an eruption of protests across New York City, State, and the nation, the momentum behind the 50-A repeal has ramped up.

New York’s Senate and Assembly will convene this week to pass legislation that, by all indication, will include a repeal of 50-A. Governor Andrew Cuomo stated last week that he will sign the bill the legislature passes.

Over the past few days, music industry leaders stepped up to organize a coalition to support and salute the reformers in New York and the broader civil rights community that have been urging for reform of failed laws like Section 50-A for years. 

The enclosed list is a growing document that includes all music community members that support the hard work that has set the stage for this monumental moment of reform.

The letter is below and a full list of signatories is available here.

June 8, 2020

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

The Honorable Andrea Stewart-Cousins
New York State Senate
Legislative Office Building #907
Albany, NY 12247

The Honorable Carl Heastie
New York State Assembly
Legislative Office Building #932
Albany, NY 12248

Dear Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie:

We mourn the killing of George Floyd and the unnecessary loss of so many black lives before his.  We must hold accountable those who violate the oath to protect and serve, and find justice for those who are victim to their violence.  An indispensable step is having access to disciplinary records of law enforcement officers.  New York statute 50-A blocks that full transparency, shielding a history of police misconduct from public scrutiny, making it harder to seek justice and bring about reform.  It must be repealed immediately.

It is not enough to chip away at 50-A; this boulder in the path of justice has stood in the way for far too long and must be crushed entirely.  It is not just a misreading of the statute; it is not just an inappropriate broadening of its scope.  It is the statute itself, serving to block relevant crucial information in the search for accountability.

We were pleased to hear the Governor’s statement that 50-A should not prohibit the release of disciplinary records.  But, clearly, it is not enough.  50-A has been used far too often in the past and, without repeal, it will continue to be used to block justice.  When the Legislature returns this week, we urge members to recognize the moment, take one loud, bold, and meaningful step in addressing this systemic problem, and swiftly repeal 50-A.

Thank you.

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