The Urban Youth Collaborative and Center for Popular Democracy Respond to NYPD Discriminatory Policies in Schools, Call for End of Arrests of Student
NYC Youth Org UYC & CPD Respond to Brand New Data from the NYPD on Policing in Schools that Confirms Discriminatory Policies Against Students of Color. Last year, students experienced 1,085 arrests in NYC schools; 97% of all arrests of students in middle school are Black or Latinx; Black girls are 14.4 times more likely to be arrested.
11.17.2017
Statements from Urban Youth Collaborative:
“When Black boys are 7.1 times more likely to be arrested and 4.6 times more likely to receive a summons than White boys and Black girls are 14.4 times more likely to be arrested and 6.9 times more likely to be issued a summons than White girls in NYC schools, it’s clear we are criminalized because of the color of our skin. It’s 2017 and almost all students being arrested and receiving summons are Black and Latinx. Generations of Black and Latinx youth have been harmed by bringing police into our schools and generations will continue to be harmed if we don’t make significant changes” said Matthew Beeston, a youth leader with the Urban Youth Collaborative. “We are calling for the complete end of arrests, summons, and juvenile reports in schools for misdemeanors and violations and the progressive removal of all police and metal detectors from our schools.”
“The city must stop criminalizing normal youthful behavior - 78 percent of all arrests, summons, and juvenile reports are for misdemeanors and violations - and instead invest in restorative practices, mental health care, and guidance counselors. Young people will continue to suffer at the hands of ineffective and racist practices so long as we rely on police rather than support systems to create safe schools. The city must be bold enough to reimagine safety so that it is rooted in effective and humane practices of support rather than policing” said Roberto Cabanas the Coordinator for the Urban Youth Collaborative. “Time and time again we are reminded that young people are the best resource we have for developing successful and sustainable policies for every school in every neighborhood.”
Statement from Center for Popular Democracy:
“Ninety-seven percent of students middle school age or younger who were arrested in school were Black or Latinx, while they represent just 67 percent of the student population. The most recent data shows modest declines in the number of arrests and summons, but the deep and persistent racial disparities shows the city continues to systematically criminalize students of color. To shift from discriminatory and racist practices to a new understanding of discipline we have have to embrace the solutions developed by the young people who have been harmed by our current policies and practices,” said Kate Terenzi, Equal Justice Works Fellow at the Center for Popular Democracy.
Contact: Samy Nemir, solivares@populardemocracy.org (929) 285-9623 and Roberto Cabanas, Roberto.Urbanyouthcollab@gmail
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www.urbanyouthcollaborative.or
The Urban Youth Collaborative is led by students young people and brings together New York City students to fight for real education reform that puts students first. Demanding a high-quality education for all students, young people struggle for social, economic, and racial justice in the city’s schools and communities. Organizational members include: Make the Road New York, Sistas and Brothas United, and Future of Tomorrow
Center for Popular Democracy promotes equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. CPD builds the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial justice agenda
