NYC NOW - October 25, 2023: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: October 25, 2023

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: A federal judge is set to approve a more than $4-million-dollar payout to protesters who claim they were wrongfully arrested and hurt in a "Black Lives Matter" demonstration in the Bronx in June of 2020. Also, a federal judge is striking down recent provisions of New York City's gun restrictions as unconstitutional. Meanwhile, attendees of a virtual Department of Buildings hearing about "Local Law 97" yesterday expressed criticism over a proposed enforcement plan that would allow building owners to delay their compliance with the climate law.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Wednesday, October 25th. Here's the morning headlines from David First. A federal judge is set to approve a more than $4 million payout to protesters who claim they were wrongly arrested and hurt in a Black Lives Matter demonstration in the Bronx in June of 2020. Alex Gutierrez is one of the plaintiffs. He's one of nearly 300 people.

arrested at the demonstration in Mott Haven where officers pepper-sprayed protesters and beat them with batons. Gutierrez remembers being arrested while standing face-to-face with an officer who was crying. I'm getting chills now that I'm thinking about it because I will never forget that moment just looking at her in the eyes and saying like, you don't want to do this. I know you don't want to do this. Last month, the NYPD Commissioner said in a press release that the 2020 protests posed, quote, unique challenges for police. A federal judge is striking down recent provisions of New York City's gun restrictions as unconstitutional, saying officials have been allowed too much discretion to deny gun permits to people deemed, quote,

not of good moral character. The ruling made yesterday pertains to a lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court by a man who was denied a permit to possess rifles and shotguns in his home because of his prior arrests, bad driving history, and alleged false statements on applications. The judge temporarily suspended the effect of his ruling to give the city time to appeal. Hundreds of people attended a virtual Department of Buildings hearing about local law 97 yesterday. That's a New York City landmark climate measure aimed at reducing carbon pollution from large buildings. Most of the people who testified expressed criticism over a recently proposed enforcement plan that would allow building owners to delay their compliance with the climate law

or by their way out of it. Some also cast doubt over whether the DOB could handle the additional work in reviewing extension applications, given the department is reportedly understaffed. Shrevanthe Kanakal is the resiliency planner for the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance. You know, we are concerned about the staffing and budget of the department, especially given the mayor's proposed budget cuts. There's going to be a lot of work needed to be done by, the department to ensure that thousands of these buildings are going to be in compliance.

The DOP plans to finalize rules by the end of the year. 56 degrees right now. Mostly sunny skies expected today with a high near 70 this afternoon. It's WNYC. Thanks for listening. This is NYC now from WNYC. Be sure to catch us every weekday, three times a day, for your top news headlines and occasional deep dives.

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