It’s been several months since the state Assembly and Senate passed the Fair Access to Crime Victims Compensation bill, but the legislation has yet to become law and remains in Governor Kathy Hochul’s drawer, for which crime survivors in New York urged her to get the initiative going.
Through a protest in front of the New York State Governor’s Office, dozens of protesters demanded that Governor Hochul sign the new law so that it can begin to be implemented. The president has until next December to give it free rein or runs the risk of staying up in the air.
In their call, led by the Common Justice coalition, more than 50 crime survivors, families of victims and New York leaders warned that the legislation approved by Albany is of vital importance for those individuals and families of those who have been subjected to crimes to be able to access a state-funded program that would give them compensation.
The Fair Access to Compensation Act authorizes reimbursement for costs associated with injuries suffered by victims, including medical bills, temporary housing, and funeral expenses.
“Governor Hochul understands the importance of this issue. She also understands that most New Yorkers don’t even know this funding exists. That is why we have launched a coalition at the state level with Moms Demand Action, RAPP, Katal and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence,” said Marquis Jenkins, director of Common Justice, who stressed that the call for the signing of the protection law, comes just as Governor Hochul launched a statewide campaign to raise awareness about the resources available to crime victims, showing that she is on the same page of their demands.
Advocates for vulnerable communities, who also took similar actions in Buffalo to demand more support for survivors of crimes, including domestic violence, insisted that the legislation they advocate would make funds more accessible to New Yorkers, especially Black and Latino, undocumented and LGBTQ+ victims.
“Nearly 50% of black victims are denied compensation for not cooperating with authorities. This is not due to any fault of yours. This is due to generational cycles of traumatic experiences they have had with police officers and authorities,” said Xenia Barnes, co-founder of the Melquain Jatelle Anderson Foundation, honoring her nephew lost to gun violence in 2017.
During the demonstration at the Governor’s office, some of those present made special emphasis on the havoc that crimes such as domestic violence cause daily in New York, not only for the victims but also for their families, and mentioned that giving the green light to compensation legislation is a necessary and urgent act.
“I urge you to join us, Governor Hochul, join us in honoring our people by signing the Fair Access to Victim Compensation. This is a racial and social issue, and you know it,” said Kilsy Hidalgo, founder of the Long Live Our Butterfly organization.
“All survivors deserve fair and equal access to healing. The relatives of the victims who are no longer here, we must focus on healing. Help us to help ourselves, our community and our future,” mentioned the leader, who experienced firsthand the ravages of domestic violence with the case of her sister Ramona Elizabeth Rodríguez.
Salomón Acevedo, Deputy Public Defender for Justice, Health and Security, questioned the state president for not having already signed the aid law, especially when Hochul has made it clear that he supports crime victims and protection programs.
“The governor has championed this for many months, so what’s the delay? Why are we waiting? This is something that must happen today,” said the community leader. “Domestic violence survivors need this protection and that is why we are again asking the Governor to sign the bill into law. Stop wasting our time and stop hurting other New Yorkers.”
The protesters concluded their day by calling on the Governor to sign the bill now that she is about to turn 65, as a gift to her and to New Yorkers.
“Let’s stop the cycles of violence in New York for his birthday this year,” they said. “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Sign our bill to help survivors. We have brought it directly to you!”
The state president has not referred to the protesters’ request yet.