Categories: New York City
09.30.2022
On September 29th the Network joined Correct Crisis Intervention Today NYC (CCIT-NYC) for a rally to transform mental health crisis responses in New York, held in memory of Miguel Richards, who was shot by NYPD during a wellness check requested by his landlord five years ago.
The rally honored Miguel’s memory and focused on the fight for CCIT-NYC’s advocacy for a crisis response program that would operate 24/7, be available citywide, and pair trained peers with EMT’s who are unaffiliated with the FDNY or NYPD The coordinated crisis response system would include prevention, alternatives to hospitals, and robust follow-up from local service providers to avoid future crises and would replace the city’s current B-HEARD program operating in only a few neighborhoods during limited hours resulting in some 84% of mental health crisis calls being routed to the police.
Jordyn Rosenthal, Community Access’ Advocacy Coordinator emceed the rally leading the groups in chants of “peers not police,” in between a series of powerful speakers:
“We are going to take on this fight. We will not have another Miguel Richards. We are not going to stand by and let people with disabilities be treated like criminals,” said Ruth Lowenkron of New York Lawyers for Public Interest. “That is not the answer.”
“We can get to a place where instead of a violence response to those in need, we have a care community response. B-HEARD is not that right now,” said Council Member Kristin Richardson Jordan. “84% of calls are still diverted to the police, it needs way more coverage hours and funding and to ensure peers and people impacted are involved in the program.”
“We need police accountability and we need to divert resources from the NYPD budget to programs like this,” said Deputy Public Advocate Solomon Acevedo.
Kandra Clark of Exodus Transitional Community pointed out the need for supportive housing: “Housing is vital. We cannot invest in mental health and not invest in housing…people with serious mental illness need stable housing. We need to invest in people and housing and not the police.”
“Miguel Richards was one of 18 killed by police in a mental health crisis - many of these people are Black and Brown New Yorkers,” said Ashley Conrad of Freedom Agenda. “We continue to invest in systems of punishment and instead we should be investing in systems of healing and empowerment.”
See press coverage here. Learn more and get involved in CCIT-NYC here.