PRESS RELEASES & STATEMENTS
Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a five-point subway plan that includes deploying 1,000 members of law enforcement throughout New York City’s transit system, including 750 members of the U.S. National Guard, typically reserved for deployment during local or statewide emergencies. On the heels of the passage of the How Many Stops Act, aimed at increasing NYPD accountability, based on a history of improper stops and consent searches, Hochul’s plan newly subjects New Yorkers to increased bag checks and encounters that are likely to disproportionately harm Black and Brown commuters and other at-risk groups.
The Gathering for Justice is proud to join dozens of human rights advocates calling on President Biden to issue an apology to the undocumented community for fostering dangerous and erroneous narratives that do nothing to better the lives of immigrants or Americans and, in fact, only create worse and worsening conditions at our nation’s borders.
We are deeply disappointed by Mayor Adam’s recent veto Intro. 586 of the How Many Stops Act (“HMSA”). This critical piece of legislation would have shed light on all NYPD's stops, which harmed Black and Brown New Yorkers and eroded trust between communities and law enforcement.
We are thrilled to celebrate our 18th anniversary, marking nearly two decades of dedicated efforts in the fight against racial injustice. The Gathering for Justice was founded in 2005 by my mentor and the legendary singer and activist Harry Belafonte following reports of a 5-year-old Black girl, Jaiesha Scott, being handcuffed and arrested for "being unruly" in a Florida school. His moral outrage became the birth of The Gathering for Justice.
As we grapple with the unfolding current events of 2023, the need for mental health awareness has become more critical than ever before. July marks Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial period where we shine a spotlight on the mental health struggles faced by marginalized communities. One such community, women of color, often grapple with these challenges beneath an oppressive veil of silence and misjudgment.
As a Chicana feminist who has been in the public eye, I can personally attest to being misjudged and dealing with the stigma and attitudes surrounding mental health.
The Gathering for Justice announced today the appointment of five new members of the Board of Directors. After losing our founder, Harry Belafonte, in April of this year, we are deeply honored to welcome Dorothy Toran, Khephra Burns, Susan L. Taylor, Jason Daley Kennedy, and Jamira Burley as leaders of the organization's governing body to help set the direction of the organization and continue the legacy that was bestowed upon us. This esteemed group will work closely with our current board members, Ira Gilbert (Attorney, Paul Weiss), Brea Baker (writer, freedom fighter and global strategist), and Ebro Darden (Media executive, radio personality, and host of Ebro in the Morning) to ensure the continued mission of The Gathering for Justice.
[March 9, 2023]
As we remember Susana Morales and the countless other lives lost to police brutality, we must continue to fight for justice and equity for all. Let us work together to ensure lawfulness for everyone involved and honor Susana's memory by never giving up on our fight for justice. [READ MORE]
[January 24, 2023]
The Gathering for Justice is deeply saddened at the recent loss of life in the multiple mass shootings in California over the past few days. As an organization that considers the state of California our home, our hearts go out to the friends and families of all the victims impacted by these terrible tragedies. [READ MORE]
The Gathering for Justice announced today that it will host a first-of-its-kind event with the City of Oxnard and the McCune Foundation – “The MLK Freedom and Unity Weekend”. This special event will be held on January 15-16, 2023. This groundbreaking experience will launch a unique event for youth and families of Ventura County to share the legacy and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and bring the community together to build solidarity, justice, and collective action. The weekend will include the Gathering of the Youth Summit, community mural project, a youth networking breakfast, the Pat Bell commUNITY Basketball game and more. [READ MORE]
The Gathering for Justice announced today that on Tuesday, December 13 in Los Angeles, it will partner with multiple women’s and violence prevention organizations including Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, 2nd Call, Homies Unidos,Take Charge, Inc., COMMUNITYx, Inc., TimeDone, and more, to show solidarity and support Megan Thee Stallion at the courthouse as she recalls the tragic events that took place in Hollywood on July 12, 2020. [READ MORE]
The Gathering for Justice announced today that President and CEO, Carmen Perez-Jordan will conduct several presentations in Oxnard, California with students in elementary, junior high, high school and community organizations to help build the beloved community that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. talked about while inspiring the younger generation to get involved. [READ MORE]
In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that women have the right to abortion. Over the past 50 years, Black and BIPOC-led reproductive justice organizations have done crucial work to ensure that this right is accessible to all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability or other factors. [READ MORE]
April 8, 2022 (New York, NY)--The Gathering for Justice, a nonprofit organization founded by Harry Belafonte and led since 2010 by Carmen Perez, released a statement today regarding the New York State budget, which lawmakers are expected to vote on today.
.Justice League NYC members were alerted to the video of a Florida police officer, Sgt. Christopher Pullease, attacking a female officer who attempted to intervene when he threatened the life of a person in police custody. We commend the actions of the female officer, who prefers to remain anonymous, for interrupting an escalating situation of aggression towards a civilian. Sgt. Pullease's actions, both against the person in custody and the intervening officer, were deeply inappropriate and abusive. [READ MORE]
[April 6, 2022]
We are relieved and overjoyed that The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Monday has granted a stay of execution for Melissa Lucio, the Latina mother of 12 who was facing a death sentence on Wednesday, April 27th. [READ MORE]