City Limits
"When the state takes away a person’s liberty, it bears a serious obligation to provide them proper care, and the built environment is a big part of that." - Ashley Abadia-Santiago Conrad, Senior Community OrganizerFood Policy
"Adriana Mendoza was selected to be a part of this special cohort based on her contributions to food systems reform as a Benefits Supervisor with the Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center."Food Policy
"Despite working many jobs to supplement my father’s income, my mother always found time to join grassroots organizations to advocate for labor and immigrant rights, and housing and food justice. She was my inspiration in doing the work that I do today."Ms. Magazine
"From physical safety to job security, how your present yourself to the world is critical. To transgender and other LGBTQ+ youth...beauty products like makeup or haircare are neither optional nor frivolous expenses." -Op-ed by Amy Leipziger, Director, Free to Be Youth ProjectCity Limits
"Having housing available for people leaving jail is key to achieving this goal, according to Victor Herrera, an organizer with Freedom Agenda, an anti-carceral organization with the Close Rikers campaign."Archinect
Jennifer Parish of the Urban Justice Center told the Daily News: "Delaying completion of the Queens and Bronx jails is shameful and unlawful. Mayor Adams is failing in his responsibility to advance the plan to close Rikers."Digital Chew
“On the Mayor’s watch, 31 people have died and countless others have experienced abuse, neglect, and violence at the Rikers Island penal colony,” commented Darren Mack, co-director of Freedom Agenda.Freedom Agenda
"Last year...the City Council reaffirmed its commitment to the plan to close Rikers by 2027 and establish a smaller borough-based jail system to reduce incarceration and improve conditions for incarcerated people...it seems Mayor Eric Adams’ determination to stall the plan has not changed either."Queens Eagle
“There is a realistic plan for reducing the jail population to meet the target of fewer than 3,300 individuals incarcerated in city jails, and a critical component is prioritizing decarceration of people with mental health concerns and expanding supportive housing and community mental health supports,” Jennifer Parish, the director of Criminal Justice Advocacy at Urban Justice Center's Mental Health Project.Hell Gate
"The legality of food distribution by organizations like mutual aid groups or church organizations is murky—and it's unclear exactly what permit these groups would need to obtain, explained Matthew Shapiro, the legal director of the Street Vendor Project."© 2024 Urban Justice Center | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
