(New York) – Yesterday, GOP Monroe County Legislators temporarily abandoned their posts at a public hearing when a constituent, Jalil Muntaqim, rose to speak on the housing crisis in Rochester. Jose Saldaña, Director of RAPP, a survivor of 38 years in New York State prisons, and a crime survivor, released the following statement:
“We are offended by the actions of these Republican county legislators. As an elected official, you have a responsibility to listen to–and represent–all your constituents, including those you may have strong disagreements with. Jalil was given a parole-eligible sentence, served nearly half a century, and was lawfully released because the Parole Board finally recognized that he presented zero risk to community safety and only sought to be of service to others. In fact, that is exactly what he was doing on Tuesday night in speaking out for those facing housing challenges and advocating for concrete solutions–the very things legislators should themselves be doing.
At RAPP, we support all victims and survivors on the path toward healing…