ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Jalil Muntaqim, who served nearly 50 years in prison for the 1971 killing of two police officers in New York City, addressed county lawmakers about affordable housing last night. However, his speech was met with a walkout by the Republican caucus.
News10NBC’s Erin Mahon spoke with both county Republicans and Muntaqim’s organization, Citizen Action, to gather their perspectives on the incident.
Republican Leader Sean McCabe explained the decision to walk out was made about an hour before the meeting. “I had a discussion with our chief of staff, and we proposed to the caucus that when Anthony Bottom stood up to speak, that we were going to walk out in solidarity with our law enforcement and public safety partners,” McCabe said, referring to Muntaqim by his birth name.
When asked about Muntaqim’s right to speak, McCabe acknowledged, “He does have the right to be heard. But we, as our moral obligation is legislators, didn’t want to give him the credence to say what he wanted to say.”
McCabe expressed that he believes Muntaqim should still be incarcerated. “He should have never been released. And the state chose to release him, but it doesn’t mean we have to listen to what he has to say,” McCabe stated.
When Mahon asked, “Is it the legislature’s place to say who does and does not belong behind bars,” McCabe responded, “I think it’s become, I mean, any elected official it’s public safety no matter what level of government you’re involved whether it’s town, government, school boards, county, state, public safety’s for everybody.”
Citizen Action, the organization Muntaqim represented, expressed disappointment in the lawmakers’ actions. Carolyn Martinez-Class, co-executive director of Citizen Action, said, “I think we’re disappointed in the choice of lawmakers to walk out. I think everyone deserves the respect during their testimony, to be listened to.”
Rebecca Garrard, also a co-executive director, added, “It was deeply disappointing, discouraging and disheartening to see that people elected to make policy decisions on behalf of constituents, choose to disregard that information.”
Despite the walkout, Citizen Action stands by Muntaqim as an advocate. Martinez-Class stated, “We stand by the work Jalil has done in Rochester. He is on the ground doing work with our members who are impacted by these policy decisions.”
Muntaqim was among several advocates urging legislators to increase funding for housing vouchers. Both co-executive directors expressed frustration that this message was overshadowed by the walkout.
County Republicans say they remain open to discussing housing issues with other advocates during public forums but not with Muntaqim.
Here’s why one former inmate’s address on affordable housing leads to walkout in county meeting WHEC.com.
Hence then, the article about here s why one former inmate s address on affordable housing leads to walkout in county meeting was published today ( ) and is available on News10NBC ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Here’s why one former inmate’s address on affordable housing leads to walkout in county meeting )
Also on site :