Image Credit: CityLand

On October 2, 2020, Annette Gordon-Reed, the Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvard Law School, spoke at the 169th CityLaw Breakfast. Professor Gordon-Reed spoke on “Policing in America: Writing a New Chapter?” Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law gave opening remarks and Dean Anthony W. Crowell provided closing remarks. This Breakfast was sponsored by ConEdison, Greenberg Traurig, and Verizon. This was the third virtual CityLaw Breakfast as in-person events are not feasible at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (more…)

CPC Chair Marisa Lago speaks during the August 3rd Review Session, the CPC’s first meeting in months. Image Credit: CPC

The full ULURP process will resume on September 14th. On August 3, 2020, the City Planning Commission resumed hearings for the first time since March 16th. Hearings had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic after Mayor Bill de Blasio signed an executive order halting the ULURP process which allowed the City Planning Commission to cancel its meetings. While other agencies started resuming public hearings virtually in June and July, the City Planning Commission has been a notable holdout until now. For CityLand’s prior coverage of the COVID-19 impact on the ULURP process, click here.  (more…)

Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image Credit: Benjamin Kanter/Mayoral Photo Office.

The first street to be co-named and painted will be near City Hall. On June 9, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the City will begin to co-name and paint selected streets in all five boroughs in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Black Lives Matter movement, which began in 2013, works to address the issue of state and vigilante violence against Black individuals and works to bring equity to Black communities. Recently, the Black Lives Matter movement has been part of the protests against systemic racism and police misconduct that have occurred in response to the death of George Floyd. Mayor de Blasio announced the street co-naming and painting initiative to commemorate the efforts of Black Lives Matter activists.

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Mayor Bill de Blasio announcing curfew lift and criminal justice reforms Image Credit: Mayor’s Press Office

Curfew lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, but not necessary in New York City. On June 1, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio collectively instituted a citywide curfew following four evenings of protests, which although mostly peaceful, included some instances of chaotic behavior which resulted in vandalism and property damage. The protests were in response to the death of George Floyd, police brutality, and racial injustice.  George Floyd’s killing while in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department on May 24, 2020 and has been followed by demonstrations throughout the Country, including New York City. The Mayor lifted the curfew on June 7, 2020, a day before the expected expiration and a day before the State’s scheduled Phase 1 reopening. To read CityLand’s coverage of the Phase 1 Reopening click here.

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A sign at Cadman Plaza Park, Brooklyn reminding visitors to social distance./Image Credit: May Vutrapongvatana

The First Amendment allows the State to pass public health regulations that impact the manner of protests if they are written and enforced neutrally. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed by a police officer while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department. Since Floyd’s death, demonstrations and rallies have been held in different parts of the City to protest systemic racism and law enforcement misconduct. Taking place on City’s streets, sidewalks, and in parks, the protests have drawn crowds of thousands of people which has raised concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

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