Williams calls for dignity and racial equity in maternal care
Williams says no one should be shackled during vulnerable medical moments and cites incidents involving Samantha Randazzo and Luz Burke. He notes Black and brown women are disproportionately affected and asks about continuity of care.
It is important that no individual should be shackled during deeply vulnerable medical critical moment.
The safety, dignity, and peace will give birth most, while giving birth must be paramount.
It is essential that what happened to Luz Burke, who was put in full body restraints while she was pregnant and retained in Rikers Island, does not happen to anyone.
These proposals raise broader concerns about the legal system.
Accommodates pregnancy and recovery.
We must ensure that staff and health providers fully understood that responsibilities of the medical needs are addressed properly.
We must also ensure that decisions about court appearances and custody does not needlessly interfere with continuing care.
Looking forward to the administration hearing from them about how it's ensuring timely and equitable maternal health care for pregnant and post-mortem individuals in custody.
What procedures are in place to maintain continuity of care as those in custody are transferred across facilities and how the city can further help in ensuring all people receive adequate care pre and post-mortem.
And I have to mention that obviously when we hear these stories, it's usually black and brown women who are going through this.
And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that.
Unfortunately, usually the case.
Thank you for this hearing.
Thank you so much for your testimony, Public Advocate Williams.
I'd now like to invite Councilmember Hudson to give remarks about her resolutions.