New Report Finds Enormous Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Manhattan Jury Pools

ALBANY, NY (06/27/2007)(readMedia)-- Citizen Action of New York and New York civil rights and community organizations will be holding a press conference to release a new report authored by Citizen Action finding that jury pools in Manhattan – people summoned for civil and criminal juries – do not reflect the actual population breakdown of the City’s major racial groups, as well as the population of Hispanics. The report, which found substantial overrepresentation of Whites, and substantial underrepresentation of Blacks, Hispanics and other groups, calls into question the fairness of results in thousands of civil and criminal cases in Manhattan Supreme Court.

The report, “Racial and Ethnic Disparity in Manhattan Jury Pools: Results of a Survey and Suggestions for Reform,” is based on a visual survey of the race and Hispanic status of over 14,000 people assembled for jury duty in Manhattan.

The speakers will include representatives of the following groups: Citizen Action, the NAACP, Organization of Chinese Americans-NY Chapter, and the Progressive Association for Political Action.

WHAT: Press Conference to Release Report Showing Disparities in Manhattan Jury Pools

WHEN: Wednesday, June 27th, 11 AM

WHERE: Outside Steps, Manhattan Supreme Court, 60 Centre Street, Manhattan

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