CDANY Condemns the Killing of Daniel Prude and
Continues to Advocate for Actual Justice in our Justice System

On Friday, September 4, 2020, the Chief Defenders Association of New York (CDANY) issued the following statement on the Killing of Daniel Prude:

“George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Antiana Jefferson. Aura Rosser. Stephon Clark. Botham Jean. Many, many others.

And now Daniel Prude.

Once again, a Black person has been killed by a police officer. Once again, our “justice” system failed to ensure that those responsible face repercussions for the death of Mr. Prude and that the other police officers present face consequences for both their dehumanizing treatment of Mr. Prude, and their failure to intervene on his behalf. Daniel Prude needed help – instead of receiving help he was handcuffed, mocked, forced to wear a spithood, and forced to lie face-down on the freezing ground. While helpless, he was asphyxiated by police officers.

Like many others across our country, our members watched the video of the senseless killing of Daniel Prude at the hands of the Rochester Police Department with shock and horror, but sadly not with surprise. The members of CDANY are all too familiar with these brutal acts executed in the name of law enforcement against people of color in our community, and we knew we would be here again. We offer both our deepest condolences to the family of Daniel Prude, and a promise that we will continue to say his name as we advocate for justice for people of color in the justice system, work to end the practice of arresting those in mental health crisis, and stand with those in our community who are advocating for change.”