Tag Archives: NYPD

Shopping while Black is not a crime.

Join us in demanding that the NYPD immediately conduct a full investigation into the arrests made outside of Barneys.

For months, Trayon Christian — a 19-year-old Black college student from Queens — set aside money from a part-time job to buy a $349 designer belt from Barneys New York.¹ But in April, as he exited the luxury department store with both the belt and his receipt he was swarmed by undercover cops, peppered with questions, handcuffed and locked in a jail cell.² While providing several forms of identification to match his debit card, police taunted Trayon with questions like “How could you afford a belt like this?” “Where did you get this money from?”³

Barneys issued a vague statement, disclaiming responsibility for Trayon’s arrest, but more than 47 arrests have been made outside of the Madison Ave. store — hinting at the possibility of a dedicated NYPD task force.⁴ The public has a right to know the racial breakdown of the suspects arrested, how many were actually charged with a crime, and what role the luxury department store played in these arrests.

Join us in demanding that the NYPD immediately conduct a full investigation of the arrests made outside of Barneys. We’ll also send this message to senior executives at Barneys to remind them that the practice of profiling Black customers is unacceptable. It only takes a moment.

Clearly Trayon isn’t the only Black person who has been stopped by NYPD after an expensive purchase at this particular store. Just a day after Trayon filed his complaint, 21-year-old Kayla Phillips has come forward and claims that she too was surrounded by undercover cops just blocks from the Manhattan store who pushed her up against the wall after she purchased a designer handbag with her debit card.⁵

Unfortunately Black folks are too often subjected to this brand of deeply offensive and humiliating treatment by security guards and police officers at the businesses we patronize. And in recent years, the NYPD has become notorious for targeting Black and Latino residents — subjecting our communities to thousands of illegal stops, searches, and frisks each day that lead to unlawful arrests, constant harassment, and in some cases, serious injury or death.^6,7

Enough is enough. In order to end the culture of police misconduct and racial profiling we must demand accountability for these discriminatory practices. Will you sign this petition today and forward it to your family and friends?

Thanks and Peace,

–Rashad, Arisha, Matt, Aimée, William, Hannah and the rest of the ColorOfChange team. October 25th, 2013

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way.

References

1. “Barneys accused teen of using fake debit card for $349 belt because he’s a ‘young black American male’:lawsuit,” New York Daily News, 10-22-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3044?t=7&akid=3175.1689899.3LyxQO

2. “Trayon Christian Complaint,” New York City Clerk, 10-21-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3045?t=9&akid=3175.1689899.3LyxQO

3.See Reference 1

4. “Another black Barneys shopper accused of credit card fraud after buying $2,500 purse: claim,” New York Daily News, 08-10-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3046?t=12&akid=3175.1689899.3LyxQO

5.See Reference 4

6. “Judge approves class action lawsuit over NYPD’s stop-and-frisk searches,” The Raw Story, 05-16-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1636?t=14&akid=3175.1689899.3LyxQO

7. “After Detective’s Firing, Tensions Linger in Sean Bell Case,” New York Times, 03-25-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3047?t=16&akid=3175.1689899.3LyxQO

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

New York has a police problem … Emma Ruby-Sachs – Avaaz.org

06/13/2012 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Dear friends across the US,

After being “stopped and frisked” by the NYPD more times than he can count, Avaaz member Tyquan started a petition calling on Mayor Bloomberg to end the racially charged policy. Stand with Tyquan and the over 200,000 people stopped this year alone – sign the petition now:

Tyquan, a recent high school graduate and Avaaz member from Brooklyn, has been stopped, handcuffed, and violently thrown to the ground by NYC police more times than he can count, often with no explanation. Now he’s started a petition asking Mayor Bloomberg to end the police “stop and frisk” policy that is fueling this harassment.
Crime is at a record low, but the practice of “stopping and frisking” primarily black and Latino New Yorkers has exploded by 600% in the last decade. NYC’s Public Advocate recently called for a halt to “stop and frisk” and now a Federal Judge has called the policy a broad abuse of fundamental constitutional rights, allowing a massive class action lawsuit against the city.
But the Mayor has dug in his heels, refusing to fold in spite of the legal ruling. Massive public opinion is the only thing that can end this police policy for good. Let’s stand with Tyquan and bring a national call for justice to Mayor Bloomberg’s front door:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Mayor_Bloomberg_End_Stop_and_Frisk_Now/?vl
Tyquan’s story is hardly unique, in fact, it’s standard operating procedure for the NYPD who have stopped and frisked over 200,000 people just like Tyquan this year alone. Worse, the stops are almost completely arbitrary. Officers cited vague sounding justifications for over half the stops made last year, including “furtive movements” and “inappropriate attire off season.” There’s also no evidence the policy is cutting down on crime – in over 90% of these stops the NYPD makes no arrests, or even issues a ticket. And white men accounted for only 4% of those stops last year.
If enough of us stand with Tyquan we can show Mayor Bloomberg that a growing national outcry demands better of him – and New York. Sign and share now, when our call reaches 100,000 strong, we’ll deliver this petition directly to Mayor Bloomberg at City Hall urging him to do the right thing and halt this reckless policy:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Mayor_Bloomberg_End_Stop_and_Frisk_Now/?vl
As a member, Tyquan has been inspired by the Avaaz community’s work to stop Internet censorship, end deforestation and prevent attacks on women’s rights around the world – now its our chance to stand with Tyquan and lend people-power to the fight against racial injustice and police abuse in New York.
With hope and determination,
Emma, Joseph, Ricken, Andrew, Brant, Kya and the whole Avaaz team
PS: Have you been harassed by law enforcement where you live? Click here to start a petition like Tyquan’s: http://avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?ps14480
MORE INFORMATION
Public Advocate to Call for Audit of Stop-and-Frisk Tactic (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/nyregion/new-york-public-advocate-to-call-for-an-audit-of-police-stop-and-frisk-tactic.html
NYPD stop-and-frisk lawsuit now class action in victory for civil rights groups (The Guardian) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/16/new-york-stop-and-frisk-lawsuit
In 2011, NYPD Made More Stops Of Young Black Men Than The Total Number Of Young Black Men In New York (ThinkProgress) http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/05/10/481589/nypd-stop-and-frisk-young-black-men/
New NYCLU Report Finds NYPD Stop-and-Frisk Practices Ineffective, Reveals Depth of Racial Disparities (NYCLU) http://www.nyclu.org/news/new-nyclu-report-finds-nypd-stop-and-frisk-practices-ineffective-reveals-depth-of-racial-dispar
NYPD Stop And Frisks: 15 Shocking Facts About A Controversial Program (Huffington Post) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/13/nypd-stop-and-frisks-15-shocking-facts_n_1513362.html?ref=new-york&ref=new-york
Why is the NYPD after me? (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/opinion/sunday/young-black-and-frisked-by-the-nypd.html?pagewanted=all
‘Quotas exist’: Former NYPD Officers discuss the data driven department http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/05/5837828/quotas-exist-former-nypd-officers-discuss-data-driven-department?politics-bucket-headline

Judge rules that millions can sue NYPD over stop-and-frisk (12160.info)

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Stopped and Frisked : NYC Councilman on NYPD

09/15/2011 Nativegrl77

In May of 2010 New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams spoke out against the NYPD‘s”Stop and Frisk” policy and highlighted the prejudices of the system.

“If you have more melanin in your skin you are more likely to be stopped…we should be allowed to walk freely.” Councilman Williams

At this year’s Labor Day Parade in Brooklyn Jumaane Williams was inappropriately profiled and detained by the NYPD. Councilman Williams has written a special guest blog for us here at The Black Institute about the situation.

Read it and tell us what you think about how we can move forward towards change!

The BlackInstitute
http://www.theblackinstitute.org/