Safeguard our Civil rights

When public officials violate your constitutional rights, you deserve a path to justice. New York can lead the way.

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Albany's back in Session

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Demand your reps co-sponsor S176 / A1402

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Albany's back in Session · Demand your reps co-sponsor S176 / A1402 ·

A group of people gathered at a New York State Senate event, some holding protest signs with slogans like 'End Qualified Immunity Now' and 'Accountability = Public Safety.' A woman in front speaks passionately at a podium with the New York State Senate seal.

TRUMP-PROOF NEW YORK

Federal rights are disappearing. ICE is tearing families apart. Protesters are being silenced. Qualified immunity is the legal wall shielding the public officials responsible. New York can Push back.

A group of people protesting on the steps of a government building, with some holding yellow signs advocating for civil rights, justice, and community immunity. A man in a suit is speaking at a podium with a seal labeled 'New York State Senate'.
Person holding a cardboard sign that reads 'END QUALIFIED IMMUNITY' at a protest in a park with trees and other people in the background.
A person holds a poster with "SHOULD ANYONE BE ABOVE THE LAW?" at the top. There are many red stickers under "No" and two under "Yes." Another person is placing a red sticker under "No"

The problem

WHAT IS QUALIFIED IMMUNITY?

A Supreme Court-invented doctrine that shields government officials from civil liability when they violate your rights—even in cases of extreme brutality.

“Qualified Immunity is an absolute shield that allows officers to shoot first and think later.”
— Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor

The Solution

The Bill: s176 / A1402

CREATES A

NYS PATHWAY

Allows civil rights lawsuits to be brought in New York State courts, not just federal courts

ELIMINATES

QUALIFIED IMMUNITY

Removes the nearly insurmountable barrier that has blocked accountability for decades

ENSURES

ACCOUNTABILITY

Makes public entities financially responsible, so victims actually receive compensation

INCENTIVIZES SYSTEMIC

CHANGE

Covers legal fees for cases that lead to policy change, even if claims are unsuccessful

QUALIFIED IMMUNITY

ENDANGERS US ALL

Real cases. Real families. Real injustice.

  • KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR., White Plains, NY

    68-year-old Marine Veteran Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. accidentally set off his life alert alarm while sleeping. Police responded to the wellness check by breaking down his door, tasing him, and shooting him dead.


    Due to qualified immunity, his family's fight for accountability dragged on for nearly 15 years.

  • SAVANA REDDING

    13-year-old Savana was strip-searched by school administrators looking for Advil. The Supreme Court ruled the search was neither justified nor reasonable—but granted administrators qualified immunity anyway.

  • DANTE MCDAY, Buffalo, NY

    NY investigative agencies found that corrections officers at Wende assaulted Dante and falsified reports. No one lost their job or faced criminal consequences.

    His mother Darlene now faces the hurdles of qualified immunity in her pursuit for accountability.

  • MATUSICK v. ERIE COUNTY

    A public employee was harassed, assaulted, and fired for being in an interracial relationship. Though courts found his colleagues liable, his supervisor received qualified immunity.

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