Public Employee Press

Grievance News
Retirees join protest over death of mother in holding cell

The DC 37 Retirees Association voted Oct. 29 to support the Committee for Justice for Kyam Livingston, a 37-year-old mother of two who died July 21 in a Brooklyn Central Booking holding cell.

Livingston had been arrested for drinking, a violation of an order of protection taken out by her 78-year-old grandmother, with whom she shared an apartment.

According to witnesses, Livingston's complaints of stomach pains were ignored at Central Booking, her cries for medical assistance went unanswered for seven hours and only when she had seizures was an ambulance called.

More than four months after Livingston died, no one has been held accountable.

Livingston's family and the committee have been holding vigils and rallies on the monthly anniversaries of the fatality, demanding answers from outgoing Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly about the events that led to her death. Congress member Hakeem Jeffries, Public Advocate-elect Letitia James and City Council member Jumaane Williams have spoken at the rallies where the committee has called for an investigation of conditions in the holding cells.

Members of the DC 37 Retirees Association have joined in the monthly protests, with retiree activist Neal Frumkin speaking at the Nov. 21 rally, and more than 100 members have signed a petition demanding justice for Livingston.

"I'm proud that our association is getting involved," said Frumkin. "This could be any one of us."

The Internal Affairs Bureau of the New York Police Dept. is reportedly investigating Livingston's death, and her family has announced a wrongful death lawsuit against the NYPD.