Mass Shooting in Buffalo + Redistricting Process Chaos

May 16, 2022

The NYC Thorn is a weekly roundup of local political news compiled by members of NYC-DSA.

NO. 270 | Monday, May 16

Local News:

18-year-old white supremacist shooter Payton Gendron was charged with first-degree murder after targeting Black shoppers in Buffalo, NY. It was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. this year, with 10 dead. Governor Hochul called for stricter gun laws and social media monitoring in response to the massacre.
Mayor Adams has now lost a quarter of the value of the first three paychecks he collected upon taking office, which he converted into cryptocurrency.
Mayor Adams has so far been unsuccessful in lobbying Albany for several of his priorities, including extension of mayoral control of schools and home-rule control over traffic enforcement cameras.
25-year-old Dashawn Carter died while awaiting trial on Rikers Island. He is the fourth person to die while in city custody this year, amidst significant concerns about safety on the premises.
An independent federal monitor found that 29% of NYPD stop and frisks were not properly documented.
NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Edward Caban, the second highest ranking member of the police department, was accused of cheating on his sergeant’s exam and disciplined in four more misconduct cases over his police career.
State Legislators debate a bill that would provide immunity from prosecution for sex workers who report crimes. Advocates say this bill would give people the courage to come forward when they are assaulted.

A new pro-Israel group has formed in New York State with the explicit intent to oppose NYC-DSA’s electoral campaigns, the first time a pro-Israel group has formed to solely influence state-level politics in the US.
City & State outlined a possible timeline of New York’s chaotic redistricting process.

Listen to NYC-DSA's weekly radio show Revolutions Per Minute. Check out the show here.