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Manhattan DA candidates weigh in on latest
study seeking parole for senior inmates
BY DEAN MOSES
The two main candidates
seeking to become Manhattan’s
next district attorney
have spoken out on a new
report detailing the immense
number of deaths within the New
York State prison system.
On Oct. 12, Columbia University
Center for Justice released
a report fi nding that more individuals
have died within the New
York State prison system over the
past decade than the total sum of
executions throughout 300 years
of capital punishment.
Titled “New York State’s New
Death Penalty,” this study found
that since 1976, 7,504 individuals
have died while in custody of
the Department of Corrections.
Although New York last executed
an inmate in 1963 and the death
penalty was fi nally outlawed in
A man holds a list of those who have died on Rikers Island
during a Oct. 6 rally.
2007, researchers found that this
did not slow death from occurring
due to aging, sickness, and other
issues.
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES
Additionally, 56% of deaths
over the last decade were of
people 55 and older. Researchers
along with lawmakers, Congress
Member Jerry Nadler, and family
have recommended the passage
of Elder Parole — allowing those
55 and older who have already
served 15 years an opportunity for
parole—Fair and Timely Parole.
In response to this report,
Democratic nominee for Manhattan
District Attorney Alvin Bragg
told amNewYork Metro exclusively
that he feels it is pivotal that
both bills — Elder Parole and Fair
and Timely Parole — be passed to
alleviate the prison system while
also protecting those inside.
“As a lifelong New Yorker,
civil rights attorney, and district
attorney candidate, I am horrifi ed
by the fi ndings of this report.
We can’t just say we’re against
the death penalty, while leaving
people who present no safety
risk – overwhelmingly Black and
Latinx – to die in prison. We must
pass the Elder Parole bill and Fair
& Timely Parole bill and expand
the use of clemency to end the
crisis of death in New York State
prisons.”
Republican District Attorney
Candidate Thomas Kenniff also
weighed in, believing that the
number of deaths in prisons does
not show the whole picture since
there are those who have life
sentences and committed terrible
crimes who eventually will die
from natural causes; however, it
is alarming the deaths from negligent
care and violence.
“The fact that more people
have died in prison than have
been executed is not on its face
a completing statistic. New
York State has not carried out
an execution in nearly 50 years.
There have, however, been many
individuals who have received
life sentences for heinous crimes
such as premeditated murder,”
Kenniff said, “No matter what
the crime, we cannot condone
punishment that is unduly cruel
or inconsistent with our values as
Americans.”
PoliticsNY.com PoliticsNYnews PoliticsNYnews PoliticsNYnews
Culture and Connections: Shape of Crowns Musician, Vivian Fang Liu, Opens Up
Vivian Fang Liu is a musical mastermind. The tone of her
voice, the instrumental beauty, the lyrical lessons. You can’t
find many artists who knock all three of those elements out
of the park the way she does.
After the impressive release of her debut children’s
album, Shape of Crowns, Vivian Fang Liu hopes families
will not only praise the music, but connect with the stories
within highlighting Chinese culture, immigration, family
relationships, and Asian American contributions.
A First-Generation Immigrant in New York
Born in Guiyang, China, Liu knew little English when she
arrived in New York City as a lone teenager to study music.
Though she believed New York City was her “dream place,”
it didn’t take her long to see through the false reality she
was tightly clinging to.
“I couldn’t find a piano to practice with, at first, and I had
to move nine times,” admits Liu of the struggles she faced
as a first-generation Chinese immigrant. “I started to teach
piano privately to cover living costs when I was in high
school. I used to live in a basement and my cats could only
get some sun from a tiny window.”
“Be the change the next generation will benefit from”
Liu knew she would face unique challenges when she
followed her gut instinct to study in the United States.
She found great comfort writing music and creating art
at the piano – art that would soon enough become award
winning pieces.
“I know it’s not easy to be a minority immigrant. We face
a lot of challenges,” Liu says. “Now, I want to use music
as a media to share my musical stories for other people.
Asian Americans have made many contributions to science,
technology, arts and many more in United States and the
world. I hope to break the stereotype that Asians are always
silent. I want to be the change the next generation will
benefit from.”
Using Music to Relieve Societal Pressures
Between the power of social media and the real-world
bullying both Asian American children and adults
experience, it’s no wonder Liu found it crucial she
incorporates elements of these pressures in Shape of
Crowns. With years of teaching experience, she not only
uses music to guide and inspire students but also all she
learned from her two research papers about Asian American
Youth Music Education that were accepted by the wellknown
international conferences.
“The cultural differences between first and secondgenerations
create a lot of problems. First-generation Asian
parents are hardworking and second-generation children
are pressured to do well,” explains Liu of the cultural
differences. “I hope they can try to understand each other
and appreciate each other. Try to communicate and spend
more time together.”
Liu has a strong relationship with her mother – one brought
forth in her song Happy Birthday Mama – a song about
the relationship between the first and second generations.
Through her albums and music education, Liu hopes to
share the importance of a familial bond and understanding
between the family members who have different cultural
backgrounds. Better yet, she hopes her music can also help
the children be proud of their heritage and be proud of
themselves.
12 October 21, 2021 Schneps Media
/PoliticsNY.com
