| Daniel’s Law Week of Action Starts Today with Vigils Across New York |
Exactly 5 years ago today, on March 23, 2020, Daniel Prude’s brother, Joe, called 911 for help. Daniel was experiencing a mental health crisis and Joe was looking for care for his brother. Unfortunately, Rochester Police Department (RPD) officers responded with force and indifference to Daniel’s life, mocking him, suffocating him and subsequently murdering him.
According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, people living with serious mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed in an encounter with police. Yet, in many communities across New York, when people call for help, the only option available are police.
To address this issue and preserve Daniel’s memory, we’ve built a statewide movement over the last five years to pass Daniel’s Law, a bill focused on funding and creating peer-led, non-police response in New York. If Daniel’s Law existed when Joe called 911 on March 23, Daniel would’ve received the care and compassion he needed, and had the opportunity to heal and recover.
We will never forget the officers responsible for killing Daniel Prude and conspiring to cover it up—Troy Taladay, Mark Vaughn, Josiah Harris, Paul Ricotta, Francisco Santiago, Andrew Specksgoor, and Sgt. Michael Magri. Tragically, today all but one of these seven officers responsible for Daniel Prude’s death remain active employees of the Rochester Police Department.
As we reflect on the past five years, we are reminded that our work must focus on building new systems, and entirely replacing those grounded in harm. Daniel’s Law is a necessary step toward healing our community.
Take Action this Week to Pass Daniel’s Law & Create a New System Grounded in Care and Compassion
During our week of action marking five years since RPD killed Daniel Prude, we’ll be fighting for the passage of Daniel’s Law, a bill that will save lives by ensuring that people experiencing mental health crises are treated with care and compassion. Daniel’s Law breaks the stigma and ends the criminalization of mental health diagnoses by ensuring that people with lived experience (peers), EMT’s and mental health workers are first responders to people in crisis, not police.
RSVP Here
Please RSVP to our in person and online events, commemorating a moment in time that transformed our lives, and fighting for a future where we all have the resources necessary to thrive.
We look forward to building power with you!
With love and solidarity,
Free the People ROC