HIKIND OFFENDED BY MAYOR’S ‘BLACK HAT’ REMARKS

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

October 26, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND OFFENDED BY MAYOR’S ‘BLACK HAT’ REMARKS

 “We weren’t just Black Hats when he needed us.”

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) said he was pained to read Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s comments in The Atlantic which unfairly stereotype Orthodox Jews as “Black Hats” and belittle the seriousness with which his community has reacted to attacks on the age-old tradition of circumcision.

“When Mayor Bloomberg decided to run for a third term, he came to our community seeking favor with the Hareidi community—he asked Orthodox, Torah-observant Jews to support his candidacy,” said the Assemblyman. “ Now when he finds those same people unanimously frightened by his personal agenda and aggressive stance against Metzitzah b’peh, he quips, ‘Who wants to have 10,000 guys in black hats outside your office screaming?’ But we weren’t Black Hats when he needed us.

“The mayor is certainly entitled to his opinion on traditional circumcision but it’s demeaning the way he characterizes it. Metzitzah b’peh is not a point of view—it’s a religious tenet. The mayor is certainly at liberty to take on unpopular issues, but describing his constituents in a demeaning and derogatory way is unbecoming of the mayor’s office. It’s insensitive and it’s offensive.

“Mr. Mayor, my community deserves more respect.”

Our Legal Seminar Was a Big Hit

Our Legal Services Forum last night at the Boro Park Y saw a turnout of nearly one hundred Boro Park and Flatbush residents eager to take advantage of free and extremely useful legal advice. Attendees gained a wealth of knowledge on such topics as housing, Section 8, the senior citizen rent increase exemption, Social Security, Medicaid, changes in the home healthcare industry, IRS audits, unemployment benefits, family services for domestic violence and divorce, and public benefits from food stamps to welfare.

I was delighted to host six attorneys from Brooklyn Legal Services including Fraidy Nachman, Director of Outreach and Elder Law; Jonathan Twersky, Outreach Unit Director; Senior Staff Attorneys Sally DeLuca and John Macrae; and Staff Attorneys Rachel Nataneli and Anna Tavis.

This was a fabulous event. When community members are in need of legal counsel and advice, they should be aware that free services are available. If you aren’t income-eligible for certain services, Brooklyn Legal Services can still offer guidance and in many cases referrals. I urge our community members to take advantage of these services and to contact my office with any questions

 My office can be reached at 718-853-9616. Residents can also contact Brooklyn Legal Services at 347-592-2122.

HIKIND PRAISES D.A. HYNES FOR DROPPING CHARGES AGAINST MAN BEATEN BY POLICE IN CROWN HEIGHTS

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

October 22, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)
973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND PRAISES D.A. HYNES FOR DROPPING CHARGES AGAINST MAN BEATEN BY POLICE IN CROWN HEIGHTS

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) applauded District Attorney Charles Hynes who will be dismissing charges against a Brooklyn man accused of multiple crimes, including assaulting a police officer. Unbeknownst to the arresting officers, a surveillance video captured footage showing clearly that it was Ehud Halevi who was assaulted by two NYPD officers, not the other way around.

“District Attorney Hynes is bringing this unfortunate incident to its only proper conclusion,” said the Assemblyman. “Dismissing all charges against Halevi is the proper and correct course of action. Halevi had already been through a brutal and prolonged beating, as well as four days in prison. There is no reason to maintain accusations that could have landed Mr. Halevi in jail for years."

"We await the outcome of the investigation by the D.A. and Internal Affairs into the conduct of the two arresting officers, who were clearly not telling the truth.

“Sadly, all of us now—citizens and elected officials alike—are forced to wonder how many more arrests have been false; how many other accusations of police brutality have been true however impossible to substantiate.

“As video surveillance becomes more and more widespread, it is my hope that the knowledge of ‘everyone’s watching’ will lead to stricter adherence to the law by everyone without having to turn to the video.”

After being contacted by leaders of the Crown Heights community regarding Halevi’s beating and incarceration, Assemblyman Hikind led a number of elected officials in a public condemnation of the police brutality and a demand for an investigation into the incident.

HIKIND ASKS D.A. HYNES TO DROP CHARGES AGAINST HALEVI

NEWS FROM

ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

October 17, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

              718-853-9616 (office)      

    973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND ASKS DISTRICT ATTORNEY HYNES TO DROP CHARGES AGAINST MAN BEATEN BY POLICE IN CROWN HEIGHTS

PRAISES D.A. FOR DILIGENCE IN HANDLING CASE

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is asking District Attorney Charles Hynes to immediately drop all charges against Ehud Halevi, the man beaten by two NYPD officers after being found sleeping in a Crown Heights youth center.

“Halevi has been through enough,” said the Assemblyman. “A brutal beating, four days in prison and the knowledge that this incident has caused his parents terrible pain and fear—that’s more than enough for any man who is clearly innocent of the serious charges that were brought against him.

“A surveillance video makes it clear that Halevi did not assault a police officer,” said the Assemblyman. “The people in charge of the youth center make it clear that Halevi was not trespassing. Why go through the ordeal of having charges hanging over his need? The police officer who brutally beat this young man, who does not appear to even defend himself, has been placed on modified assignment. The District Attorney’s office has moved quickly and diligently. Now it’s time to do the next right thing and drop all charges against this young man.”

After being contacted by leaders of the Crown Heights community regarding Halevi’s beating and incarceration, Assemblyman Hikind led a number of elected officials in a public condemnation of the police brutality and a demand for an investigation into the incident. On Monday, Hikind was joined in a public condemnation of the NYPD officers’ actions in Crown Heights by NYS Senator Eric Adams, Assemblyman Karim Camara, NYC Public Advocate Bill deBlasio, NYC Comptroller John Liu, Councilwoman Letitia James, as well as Crown Heights community leaders Barry Sugar (president of the Crown Heights Jewish Leadership Council) and Chanina Sperlin.

FREE LEGAL SERVICES FORUM

NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

October 16, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

HIKIND SPONSORS FREE LEGAL SERVICES FORUM FOR BORO PARK, FLATBUSH RESIDENTS

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is sponsoring a free Legal Services Forum for Boro Park and Flatbush residents. Attorneys from Legal Services NYC will be on hand to offer valuable legal guidance regarding taxes, housing, Medicaid, home care, identity theft, Social Security, unemployment benefits, family services, and public benefits such as welfare and food stamps.

“My office staff is highly regarded in the community for their diligence in dealing with constituent needs, but here’s a unique opportunity to get free legal guidance from genuine legal experts,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “The attorneys at Legal Services NYC offer a comprehensive approach to solving legal problems. Here’s a chance for community residents to be proactive in obtaining expert advice on the benefits they are entitled to as well as other legal matters that impact their families and homes.”

The Legal Services Forum will be held at the Boro Park Y on 14th Ave. (between 49th Street and 50^th Street) on Wednesday, October 24, from 7pm to 9pm.

For more information, call Assemblyman Hikind’s office at 718-853-9616

HIKIND LEADS ELECTED OFFICIALS IN DENOUNCING BRUTAL POLICE BEATING OF pOLICECROWN HEIGHTS MAN

Assemblyman Hikind surrounded by Crown Heights leaders and elected officials.

NEWS FROM

ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

October 15, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

              718-853-9616 (office)      

    973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND LEADS ELECTED OFFICIALS IN DENOUNCING BRUTAL POLICE BEATING OF CROWN HEIGHTS MAN

CALLS ON NYPD TO SUSPEND OFFICERS

“I’VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED NEW YORK’S FINEST
BUT THIS WAS FAR FROM THEIR FINEST MOMENT”

At a press conference today, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) led fellow elected officials in denouncing the beating of a man by NYPD officers. A surveillance video shows Ehud Halevi, who was found sleeping in a youth center in Crown Heights, brutally pummeled by two police officers.

The two police officers—one male and one female—awakened Halevi, argued with him, then attempted to handcuff him. The policeman then squared off and punched Halevi in the face, while the female officer appears to pepper-spray him and beat him with what appears to be a truncheon. Following several minutes of beating, in which Halevi does not appear to defend himself, Halevi was handcuffed and arrested.

“When I was called by the leaders of the Crown Heights community regarding this incident, I was shocked—but my shock turned to horror and utter disbelief when I watched the surveillance video,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “This young man had permission to sleep at this youth center and when questioned he put his hands behind him as if to demonstrate that he was not threatening anyone. If not for the clear evidence of this video, we might believe that Mr. Halevi had committed the crime he was accused of, which included assaulting an officer of the law. But the video proves this was a lie. How many similar claims by law enforcement officers are equally fictitious?”

Halevi spent four days incarcerated after being charged with assaulting a police officer, trespassing, resisting arrest and harassment. This brought strong condemnation from Assemblyman Hikind and his fellow elected officials, including NYS Senator Eric Adams, Assemblyman Karim Camara, NYC Public Advocate Bill deBlasio, NYC Comptroller John Liu, Councilwoman Letitia James, as well as Crown Heights community leaders Barry Sugar (president of the Crown Heights Jewish Leadership Council) and Chanina Sperlin.
Rabbi Moshe Feiglin, who runs the youth center where Halevi was beaten and arrested, confirmed that Halevi had permission to sleep at the center.

“This can’t possibly be the type of training that New York City police officers receive,” said Hikind. “I have long been a friend and vocal supporter of the NYPD but this was anything but New York’s Finest in their finest moment. We are demanding an immediate investigation into this incident. These two officers must be suspended for this cruel, unprofessional, unconscionable act.

“Clearly, things have not been good between the Crown Heights community and the police precinct that is here to protect them. It’s a shame that it took an incident like this—and a video to prove it—to change things. But it must change. This type of behavior from a police officer can never be allowed again.”

Police officer squares off to punch man in youth center