Legal Services NYC announced today that it has initiated a civil rights action against the NYPD regarding their routine discrimination against immigrant New Yorkers who seek police assistance in times of crisis. This lawsuit is brought in Federal court on behalf of five limited English proficient (LEP) survivors of domestic violence and crime victims who have been denied interpretation by the NYPD, and thus denied access to vital police services, all in violation of federal and City laws.
Above: One SILS client speaks out at a press conference about her experience trying to get help from the NYPD.
(Photo credit: Anthony Navarrete)
(Photo credit: Anthony Navarrete)
While it is the official policy of New York City and of the NYPD to provide interpreter assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency, the reality is that immigrant New Yorkers with language barriers are routinely denied access to police services and routinely face unlawful discrimination. Not only does the NYPD fail to provide language assistance, it also degrades, ridicules, and otherwise mistreats LEP individuals who request interpreter services, actively demeaning them for their lack of English proficiency. In some instances, LEP victims of domestic violence are arrested because the NYPD relies solely on the reports of their English-proficient abusers.
RSS Feed
