Mikhail Novakhov: You plunged New York into blood and disaster!

Member of the New York State Assembly from the 45th Russian-speaking district of Brooklyn, Misha Novakhov, demanded that his colleagues in Albany stop the dangerous practice of releasing criminals without bail. The assemblyman spoke out against the reform on the eve of the vote on this important bill for society. We offer a full transcript of Misha Novakhov’s speech:

“I come from a country where I was arrested for nothing several times, where people are tortured in prisons, and the police can plant drugs on a person in order to then arrest him. There, security forces take you hostage and then demand money from your family. I come from a country where people hate and fear the police, where the court is always on the side of the prosecutor. I say this so you understand that I am against police brutality. But since I came to America, I have not had a single reason to blame a police officer, except for a few unfair traffic tickets. But I saw self-respect and a willingness to serve. I agree, the bail system was far from perfect and needed to change. I feel sorry for people who end up in jail for months for committing a minor crime just because they didn't have a few hundred dollars. But you haven't changed this system. This is not a reform! You killed her! They killed the entire system without providing any alternative, without consulting with people, judges, prosecutors, heads of law enforcement agencies. You have plunged the city of New York into blood and disaster! Do you have any doubts? Talk to those whose elderly family member was killed the same day his killer ended up on the street because the judge did not have the authority to keep him behind bars. My constituents are pleading with the Assembly to fix what you have destroyed! I oppose this bill!”

Author: Irina Proskurina