Queens Defendersin the News

A look at what's been happening with Queens Defenders and our programs.

To inquiry about interviews & for more information contact press@queensdefenders.org

RECENT NEWS

 

LEGAL AID RADIO: Mani Tafari About Justice456 
Legal Aid Radio – WALK 97.5FM | July 2023
Staff Attorney and Justice456 Program Co-Founder Mani Tafari spoke to Legal Aid Radio about the Justice456 initiative and the importance of the youth of today learning about their rights. 

 

Council calls on mayor to increase funds for public defenders
Queens Daily Eagle | June 2023
Queens Defenders Executive Director Lori Zeno, comments on the need for increased funding to public defenders across the city.

 

Inside the Queens Defenders’ Youth Court
Queens Daily Eagle | March 2023
Queens Defenders’ Youth Justice Court program works with youth across the borough to teach young people about the ins and out of the justice system.

CLIENT & LEGAL SERVICES

 

NYC public defender groups in dire financial need, calling for $425M funding increase: ‘We’re in the crosshairs of serious disaster’
New York Daily News | March 2023
Queens Defenders joins other Public Defender and Civil Service organizations in calling on both City and State leaders for increased funding to ensure the protection of New Yorkers right to a fair trial.

 

NYC Council: NYPD must be held accountable
Caribbean Life | March 2023
Queens Defenders & Executive Director Lori Zeno joins the ACLU in calling for accountability in regards to the NYPD Strategic Response Unit. 

 

Migrants who arrived in the city struggle to start the asylum process
Univision New York | August 2022
Queens Defenders Immigration Advocate joins the Queens Borough President at their Immigration Resource Fair.

 

‘Busy and quick’: A peek into the life of a public defender in NYC
PIX11 | May 2022
Queens Defenders Director of Special Projects Kirlyn Joseph gives an interview regarding the life & role of a Public Defender

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING & ADVOCACY

 

 

Court program offers teens a lesson on the judicial system
NY1 | June 2023
As one of the many outreach programs that occurs at Queens Defenders, and each year Youth Justice Court conducts a Mock Trial for their graduation.

 

After Nearly Three Years in Shelters, a Job and a Studio in New York
New York Times | March 2023
Queens Defenders Housing Navigator Sapthagiri Iyengar connects an EHV Housing Client with a home through our Housing Navigator program.

 

Far Rock Precinct Has #1 Drop in Crime
The Wave | January 2023
The 101st Precinct includes Queens Defenders Youth Programs as one of the potential factors in the reduction of crime in the Rockaways.

 

Far Rockaway assemblyman announces funding for the Queens Defenders Emergency Distribution Center
QNS | November 2022
Queens Defenders opens the Queens Defenders Emergency Distribution Center with New York State Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson

 

Know the power of 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments
AMNY | May 2021
Interview with Attorney Mani Tafari & Education Specialist Oral “Nick” Hilary on the creation of Queens Defenders’ Justice456 Program

LEADERSHIP

 

Opinion: The Time to End Qualified Immunity Is Now
Queens Daily Eagle | February 2023
Executive Director Lori Zeno calls on New York Legislature to end Qualified Immunity in response to the death of Tyre Nichols

 

K.C. Chiang Joins Olshan as Partner: And other announcements of recent hirings and promotions of New York attorneys.
New York Law Journal | April 2022
Queens Defenders promotes Lisa Saltzman to Director of Training

 

Queens needs the money: QBP hears budget needs throughout borough
Queens Daily Eagle | March 2022
Executive Director Lori Zeno gives testimony advocating for year-round youth programming and less policing of youth at the Queens Borough Budget Hearing.

 

Head of Queens Defenders reacts to Adams’ plan to tackle gun violence
WCBS-AM | January 2022
Queens Defenders Executive Director Lori Zeno comments on Mayor Adams’ Gun Violence Blueprint.

An archive of press releases and news can be found here.

If you are with the media and would like to receive press releases, request an interview, or obtain additional information on Queens Defenders, please contact Alora Sherbert, Manager of Development & Communications and Brian Schatz, Director of Development & Communications at press@queensdefenders.org.

Twitter Feeds

🚨Moments ago #Right2RemainSilent passed the Senate Children and Families Committee!

Thank you @JabariBrisport for putting the bill on the agenda, and thank you @jamaaltbailey for championing this legislation!

Today, Queens Defenders Client Advocate Bruce Bryan gave testimony before the New York City Council's Committee on Public Safety where he offered his story of being wrongfully convicted and serving 29 years in prison.

During today's NYC Council hearing of the Public Safety Committee, NYPD officials noted that only 37 percent of young people invoke their Miranda rights or right to counsel when stopped by the police.

Last Week, the Queens Defenders Policy Speaker Series presented a discussion with Professor Steven Zeidman, Co-Director of the Second Look Project: Beyond Guilt and the Defenders Clinic at CUNY School of Law.

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