Demand to support cutting NYPD sparks mass exodus from Council’s progressives
Nearly half of the City Council Progressive Caucus’ members have departed the influential group in protest of a new set of policy objectives that includes a commitment to “reduce the size and scope of the NYPD.”
Going into this week, the caucus had 35 members, comprising almost 80% of the Council’s entire Democratic conference.
But late Friday, the caucus’ leaders announced it now only has 20 members.
The 15 members who departed refused to sign on to a new “Statement of Principles” that spells out the caucus’ priorities, especially as it relates to this spring’s city budget negotiations with Mayor Adams.
The statement includes vows to fight for more funding for affordable housing, education and social services — issues all 35 members by and large agreed on, according to sources familiar with the matter.
However, the contract also included a proposal on law enforcement that became a source of contention this week: “We will do everything we can to reduce the size and scope of the NYPD ... and prioritize and fund alternative safety infrastructure that truly invests in our communities.”
Among the 15 who stepped aside from the caucus because of the NYPD spending reduction push were senior members like Council Finance Committee Chairman Justin Brannan, Council Majority Leader Keith Powers, Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council General Welfare Committee Chairwoman Diana Ayala.
One member who exited the caucus in protest of the new police funding pledge said this week’s internal tumult has left some members “feeling burned.”
“It leaves a lot of members feeling like the caucus is tonedeaf toward what’s going on in the city right now,” the member told the Daily News, speaking on condition of anonymity to speak candidly.
“A lot of the members who left the Progressive Caucus agree with principles of reforming the NYPD, but aren’t willing to take the leap toward defunding the NYPD ... Defund is widely unpopular in the city.”
The Progressive Caucus’ top four members countered that the new “Statement of Principles” ensures its members are more “cohesive, effective, and strategic.”
“These new reforms define what it means to be a champion for working-class New Yorkers,” said the leaders, Lincoln Restler of Brooklyn, Shahana Hanif of Brooklyn, Carmen De La Rosa of Manhattan and Jennifer Gutierrez of Brooklyn.
In a sign of the budget beef to come, the top Progressive Caucus leaders added: “The best vehicle to fight against Mayor Adam’s cuts to housing, public education and social services is a strong and disciplined Progressive Caucus.”
The mayor, who has proposed keeping the NYPD budget effectively flat this year while reducing spending on some social services, slammed the Progressive Caucus leaders earlier this week for the membership purge, which unfolded over several days.
“That is not who we are as Democrats, and I’m going to continue to stand and state that we are pro-public safety,” Adams said in an appearance on CNN Thursday.
Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Adams’ fellow citywide elected officials, sided with the Progressive Caucus over the mayor.
“Progressive cannot be just a brand,” Williams and Lander said in a joint statement co-signed by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “It is important to have a set of people organizing together in the legislature to win bold policies that advance our goals for a more just and equitable city.”