Civil Rights

Chris has been an outspoken proponent of civil rights throughout her career. Driven by a passion for equality and justice, she has worked with New York’s many diverse communities to protect housing and employment rights and fight bias-related harassment. She has also worked extensively with the NYPD and community leaders to fight hate crimes, distribute information about suspects and ensure that there is one system of justice for all communities.

Committed to fighting on behalf of all New Yorkers, Chris’s work in the field of civil rights has helped make the City just and fair, for residents of all races, genders, sexualities and backgrounds.

 As Speaker, Chris:

  • Pushed through changes to the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) resulting in increased transparency and oversight in cases of alleged police misconduct.
  • Organized elected officials, clergy, and community leaders in a citywide Day Out Against Hate. 
  •  Worked with the Department of Education to create “Respect for All”, one of the most expansive anti-bullying programs in the nation.
  •  After a series of anti-Mexican hate crimes in Staten Island, she co-founded the I AM SI coalition, secured a mix of public and private funding for lighting improvements and security cameras to increase public safety, and created after-school programs for at-risk youth.
  • In response to groups of protesters intimidating and harassing women who were trying to enter reproductive health clinics, Chris passed a law making it a crime to obstruct access to such clinics.
  •  Introduced legislation prohibiting potential employers from discriminating against job applicants based on length of unemployment.
  • Passed a law making it illegal for landlords to discriminate against prospective tenants for paying with Section 8 vouchers or any other legal form of payment.
  • Passed a law to reduce unnecessary immigrant deportations in New York City, preventing the Department of Corrections from detaining non-criminals and turning them over to Immigration Customs and Enforcement.
  • Worked with the Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus to push the radio station rating company Arbitron to make changes that would protect the economic survival of New York’s ethnic radio stations.
  • Wrote to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly urging reform to the NYPD's Stop, Question and Frisk practice.