Photo credit: Marla Maritzer

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. joined New York City Council Member David Yassky and other elected officials and community organizations at a rally to protest the City’s plan to re-open the Brooklyn House of Detention at the New York State Supreme Court on January 6, 2009.  Pictured (l to r) are: Yassky; Thompson; New York State Senator Daniel Squadron; and, Attorney Randy Mastro.

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. joined with elected officials and community activists on January 6th to rally against the City’s plan to re-open and expand the Brooklyn House of Detention.  The rally took place on the steps of State Supreme Court in Brooklyn prior to the presentation of oral arguments in the lawsuit to block the City’s plan.  Thompson was joined at the event by fellow plaintiffs Council Members David Yassky and Letitia James, State Senator Daniel Squadron, lead counsel Randy Mastro and dozens of community members opposed to the re-opening of the jail facility.

“We are calling on the city to abandon this ill-advised and economically unsound plan.  It is sad that we had to go to court to seek a remedy to the problem, but this is what needs to be done in the best interest of Downtown Brooklyn,” Thompson said.  “The $440 million the city plans to spend on this jail could be invested in a number of other things, including better schools for our children.”

Thompson will attend today’s hearing at 2 PM at the Supreme Court where oral arguments will be presented by both sides to Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix.

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