Office of the Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams

🏀 In MARCH the Public Advocate predicted the Knicks would win the Title—and we're so close. 🏆 That's not the only chip we're watching 🎰 -- we can’t gamble on the health of our communities. advocate.nyc.gov/reports/gambling

UPDATE: The Trump administration's cruel new SNAP rules are in effect today. But New York City is pushing back. If you received a notice or lose benefits, call 718-SNAP-NOW or visit nyc.gov/AccessHRA You can also contact us: GetHelp@advocate.nyc.gov or (212) 669-7250

As voting rights are gutted, the injustice in the South is echoing across our country. We can’t stand by as Black power is dismantled and diluted. It's a crisis for all of us, for all who believe the vote is precious. We do this work for our democracy and for future generations.

If you can't connect to the internet, you're cut off from government services, job opportunities, and even your community. That's why the internet should be a utility, like water. Read our plan to help make internet access a right for all New Yorkers: advocate.nyc.gov/Connected

Let's go Knicks!!! For the first time since 1999, the Orange and Blue are heading to the NBA Finals. Cue: A one-man ticker-tape parade to celebrate. #KnicksTape #KnicksNation

The flooding New Yorkers faced last night is now all too familiar—but we can't accept it as inevitable. In 2025 we passed a law to improve catch basin maintenance, in part by requiring catch basin clogs be resolved within 8 days after a complaint. So make that complaint: on.nyc.gov/CatchBasinCo...

To the New Yorkers who knew our city needed to say #NoTo175B: Thank you for protesting the anti-protest bill, and winning. We have to stop seeking short-sighted solutions that force us to choose one humanity versus another humanity. Protest is the only way we can move forward.

Stay cool, NYC! We can keep each other safe—including during this heat wave. If you don't have A/C, find a cooling center near you: finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters We can also work to protect each other from unlawful immigration arrests. Whatever happens, stay cool. 🎦: July 2025

People struggling with substance use disorder must be treated as human beings in need of support. So supportive housing, like the soon-to-be-expanded Anchor House, is vital. We owe it to those who lost their lives to reduce the harm wrought on their communities by this epidemic.

As much as MAGA dehumanizes immigrants, we have to re-humanize our neighbors, uplifting their stories. Stories of people like Allan Dabrio Marrero and his family. Allan was wrongfully detained at a routine Green Card hearing. Now he's free, we must use our pain to free others.

All of us must push back against all forms of hate, including antisemitism. Everyone should have the right to be who they are, worship who they worship, and walk freely. There are some who wish to make it so America can hate again and freely—we must form a united front against that.

Recently we joined Hon. Shahabuddeen A. Ally and @nycplanning.bsky.social Commissioner Leah Goodridge to tour New York County Housing Court. Hear some of the Public Advocate's takeaways, for tenants and homeowners. More about legal and rental assistance via NYC HRA: www.nyc.gov/site/hra/hel...

On College Decision Day, we're asking forgiveness—of our audio and your loans. As students decide where to continue their learning journeys—and many of us former students grapple with how to pay our loans—New York City has got you, with repayment resources: nyc.gov/studentloan

New York City's new Office of Deed Theft Prevention is an important win for homeowners—especially Black and Brown New Yorkers—at risk of losing their legacies. We thank @mayor.nyc.gov for launching the office, and the advocates who were courageous enough to keep fighting deed theft.

"Little progress comes without protest...We have to be able to protect safety without prohibiting speech." Hear from the Public Advocate on why we support @mayor.nyc.gov’s veto of Intro 175-B as written, as its broad language would’ve had a chilling effect. advocate.nyc.gov/press/nyc-pu... 🎥 4/16

The free press is under attack, and monopolizing mergers like the Warner Bros-Paramount deal will further reduce trust and independence in media. This will increase CEO profits while hurting creators and consumers alike. #BlockTheMerger

At a time when we need young people to protest more, not less, the educational buffer zone bill is alarming. Intro 175-B, which curbs free speech and protest at "educational facilities," is too easy to abuse and will have a chilling effect on New Yorkers pushing for change. #NoTo175B

We want New Yorkers on both sides of the bars at Rikers to be safer—one way to achieve that is by getting people with complex medical and mental health concerns the treatment they need. Now, more New Yorkers will be able to successfully re-enter their communities from the new Bellevue facility.

When 62% of New Yorkers can’t afford to live here, it's a city emergency, not a crisis on the margins. NYC's new Racial Equity Plan, and the True Cost of Living Measure, confirm what we've known for generations: Inequality in NYC isn't accidental—it’s systemic, and it’s racial.

Soon, every day will be ‘Take Your Child to Work Day' for several city employees, and we're excited to welcome our newest, tiniest neighbors to the David N. Dinkins Building. It was a pleasure to join partners in government and labor to announce a new City child care pilot.

It's not that people can't or shouldn't gamble; it's that government can't. 📺 Hear from the Public Advocate and co-host/ Communications Director Kevin on our new Suite of Sixteen steps to help mitigate potential harms of gambling in New York. 📑 More: advocate.nyc.gov/reports/gambling

Rich donors try to build our budgets behind closed doors, but these decisions should be in the people's hands. 🧮 Check out our new interactive Build-A-Budget tool, and submit your version of the budget to help push the governor to FINALLY tax the rich. advocate.nyc.gov/BuildABudget

The Trump administration is about chaos, and fear, and harm. It is not about protecting you. It is not about protecting young people like Dylan Lopez Contreras. It is not about protecting families. We are so happy that Dylan was finally released. Now let's get everyone home.

Eid Mubarak to all New Yorkers who are celebrating. May your Ramadan be remembered as meaningful, peaceful, and spiritually fulfilling. This Ramadan was a time of reflection, compassion, service, and community—values that strengthen our faith and our shared sense of humanity.

Our office is ready to help steer the new Office of Community Safety. It is really important we begin this public safety work—and you can't do a thing unless you start. We thank @mayor.nyc.gov, and so many committed advocates citywide, and welcome new Deputy Mayor Renita Francois.

Every year, we have to fight for the basic opportunities of CUNY students to have a quality, affordable education, and for educators and staff to be compensated fairly. It's time for something different. Thank you to everyone fighting for a #CUNYforAll.

Reminder from the Public Advocate and the illustrious NYC Dog Mayor: It's up to all of us to create the city we want to see. That means taking care of your own 💩 Dog owners, let's take care of business! Read reporting from @thecity.nyc on Pooper Scooper enforcement challenges ⬇️

Even as Trump and his cronies sow chaos and fear, we can and must do everything in our power to protect our communities. @cmalexaaviles.bsky.social's NYC Know Your Rights Act will equip New Yorkers with information they need to more effectively exercise their rights—let's get it passed.