Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by William Medina, Leader of Los Deliveristas Unidos and organizer with Worker Justice Project
4:29:14
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159 sec
William Medina, a delivery worker and leader of Los Deliveristas Unidos, testifies about the negative impact of New York City's new policy on delivery workers. He expresses frustration over the criminalization of minor traffic violations by cyclists, particularly delivery workers, and the potential consequences on their livelihoods and immigration status.
- Medina highlights the shift from being called "heroes" during the pandemic to being treated like "criminals" under the new policy.
- He emphasizes the disproportionate targeting of cyclists compared to car drivers, calling it discriminatory and unjust.
- Medina calls for an end to the criminal summons policy, investment in safe bike infrastructure, stronger labor protections, and accountability for delivery companies.
William Medina
4:29:14
Thank you.
4:29:15
Thank you, Charles, for the opportunity to speak today.
4:29:19
My name is William Medina.
4:29:20
I'm a proud leader of the Love Delivery Stas Unidos and organizer with the Worker Justice Project.
4:29:25
But more than that, I'm a delivery worker.
4:29:28
I'm someone who rides through the city every day to air a living to provide for my family to survive.
4:29:34
I'm here today not just an advocate but as someone who is living this reality.
4:29:40
And I'm speaking to you with outrage, frustration, and heartbreak.
4:29:44
During the pandemic, people called us heroes.
4:29:47
They clapped for us, thanked us for keeping the city running.
4:29:52
But now on the New York City new policy, it feels like we've gone from being heroes to being treated like criminals.
4:30:00
This new New York PD policy is targeting delivery worker like me.
4:30:04
I'm just first two weeks more than a thousand criminal summons were handed out to cyclists.
4:30:11
Most of them delivery workers.
4:30:13
That means if I'm on my bike, I roll through a red light maybe because I'm rushing to meet delivery time the app is pressured me to meet, I could give in a criminal court summons.
4:30:25
Think about that.
4:30:27
A criminal summons for a traffic violation that put us into the criminal justice system.
4:30:32
Many of us for the first time, no lawyer, no support, just fear.
4:30:37
Some workers are scared not even show up in court because of possible contact with ICE.
4:30:43
Others show up and are told because of administrative errors they have to come back another day, losing work, losing income, and adding more street to our already difficult lives.
4:30:57
And what works, this someone said can trigger background checks by the apps causing worker to be deactivated just like that.
4:31:04
Our only source of income is gone.
4:31:08
What's happening is not about keeping the streets safer.
4:31:11
If it were, car drivers will be treated the same way.
4:31:15
But they're not.
4:31:16
This policy target by riders, us, and that discrimination is unjust, that we make a mistake where criminalized, while cars for more dangerous don't face the same consequences.
4:31:29
I'm asking the New York City to stand with us.
4:31:32
We don't need criminalization.
4:31:34
We need real solution.
4:31:36
We urge you too.
4:31:38
You're the end of New York PD criminal summons policy targeting cyclists.
4:31:42
Invest in safe bike infrastructure and strong labor protection for deliverista.
4:31:47
Hold up delivery companies accountable for the unsafe condition they create.
4:31:52
Thank you for listening.