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Q&A

Potential challenges from changes in federal government

1:25:34

·

4 min

Council Member Williams asks about potential challenges from changes in the federal government and their impact on CCHR's work. Deputy Commissioner JoAnn Kamuf Ward discusses the commission's approach to addressing these challenges.

  • CCHR plans to increase efforts to inform people about protections in New York City
  • The commission anticipates potential increases in inquiries but also more hesitancy in reporting to government agencies
  • CCHR will rely heavily on community partners to reach vulnerable populations
  • The agency is prepared to engage in amicus briefs and other forms of litigation if necessary
Nantasha M. Williams
1:25:34
How do you foresee this possibly changing in the next couple of months or your office being being impacted by things that may happen in the federal government because it's like we're, like, creatures of the state.
1:25:48
States are somewhat creatures of, like, the federal government, and, like, I know our, like, our title 8 laws and everything that governs your agency is somewhat impacted ish by these other branches of government.
1:26:05
So how do you perceive potential challenges, and how we can enforce things?
1:26:10
Like, is it that we need to just double down?
1:26:13
Because I've been reading a lot of stuff about how municipalities and states are going to have to be even more diligent with this incoming federal climate.
1:26:22
Or do you think, like I don't wanna say scale back because that sounds bad.
1:26:26
But, like, how like, how are you all thinking about this, and what do you anticipate as potential challenges?
JoAnn Kamuf Ward
1:26:33
I think it's a bothand.
1:26:35
I think we need to step up talking about what the protections are in our city, and in our agency and many others are already having these conversations.
1:26:45
We're pulling together what every training talks exactly about what the deputy commissioner was saying about what your rights are and what you should or should not be telling our agency.
1:26:56
We're pulling together just trainings on that, everything that's about our national origin protections so that those can be deployed, in in short order to people that that need to know that.
1:27:07
So I think it's getting the word out about the right of everyone in New York City to be free from discrimination.
1:27:13
You can turn to our agency.
1:27:15
I expect there will be some increases in inquiries, but then their people are also going to be more, guarded about reporting to government.
1:27:26
Right?
1:27:26
Like, yes, we we are able to differentiate that we are not the federal government, we are not the state government, that I think nuance is lost on people who are afraid of what the government is doing.
1:27:37
So I think we will be relying heavily, heavily on the community partners that we already have and ensuring they know that we are here.
1:27:46
I think it's it's hard to say what will happen with federal agencies akin to ours that currently receive complaints, like the complaints, we receive, but, we will be watching that very, very closely.
Nantasha M. Williams
1:28:00
Yeah.
1:28:00
I'm just thinking about something goes to trial in, like, federal court.
1:28:04
And, like, the federal courts, like, I learned is kinda, like, 5050 right now with potential for incoming administration to appoint more judges to the federal circuit courts.
1:28:16
And so I'm just wondering, like, how they'll interpret immigration status and a lot of these other protective classes that, like, in a lot of ways in the education space and maybe even government procurement space, certain classes and demographics have been, like, verbally on the chopping block.
1:28:33
And so, you know, we have these three branches of, like, executive, legislative, and judicial, and I feel like so much stuff nationally has been, like, striked down by way of the courts.
1:28:47
So I'm just also wondering how you feel about our municipal laws being potentially challenged by way of, like, what the incoming administration may or may not be saying about different protected classes that here in New York City we've made, like, protective classes that may not have the same level of protection in other branches, but then going to trial, like, you're kind of, like, faced with, like, you know, United States law in in many ways.
JoAnn Kamuf Ward
1:29:18
Yeah.
1:29:18
I mean, I think the protections that are in our law in several areas are be are being and have been challenged.
1:29:23
Right?
1:29:24
Not New York City law in particular, but municipal laws, and, protections around gender identity and sexual orientation, obviously, protections around, race and looking at diversity, equity, and inclusion.
1:29:37
I think all of these things are are possible.
1:29:41
I I feel very lucky to live in New York City where lots of people, I think, at the city level are really thinking about what are the protective actions that we can take, and we are and have always been prepared to engage in amicus briefs and other forms of litigation with sibling agencies and and the law department.
1:29:58
And I think, that is an area for everyone to to stay in touch upon, but I think I also cut you off.
1:30:05
So did you want to add anything?
1:30:07
Okay.
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