Senior Campaign Director for New York and New Jersey Corinne Carey
Senior Campaign Director for New York and New Jersey Corinne Carey was arrested on May 21 in Albany along with nine other advocates for protesting the failure of state senators to bring the widely supported New York Medical Aid in Dying Act to a vote and calling for its passage.
“As campaign director for a decade and a lawyer who avoids arrest, this was not my first choice,” says Carey, “Yet the Legislature’s inaction left us no alternative. For 10 sessions we’ve championed medical aid in dying, backed by public and medical support. We know the votes exist in both houses. People like Dr. Jeremy Boal, a former health system executive battling ALS, underscore the urgent need. Too many have suffered, ignored by leaders. We demand a vote – for transparency, if nothing else.”
Terminally ill Bronx resident Jules Netherland was also arrested in the demonstration: “As a New Yorker living with stage 4 breast cancer, I am beyond disappointed that for the 10th year in a row the Legislature failed to even debate the bill. Because of this inaction, more terminally ill New Yorkers will die this year without the option of dying on their own terms without suffering. I certainly hope I live long enough to see the New York Legislature join 10 other states that have this compassionate option and the 72% of New Yorkers who support them.”
Those arrested expect to be charged with disorderly conduct.
Despite this setback, momentum for medical aid in dying in New York remains at an all-time high, with more than 50 statewide organizations publicly stating their support including The Medical Society of the State of New York and, most recently, The New York State Council of Churches.
“The failure of legislative leaders — Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie — to act on behalf of dying New Yorkers represents a profound missed opportunity to provide peace to countless families across the state,” Carey offered. “In this rare moment when consensus transcended partisanship, these so-called leaders chose not to take decisive action, an insult to dying New Yorkers who have bravely shared their stories over these last 10 years, including those who spent their final months advocating for this compassionate option. They deserve better.”
Follow our continuing work in the state and see what’s next on our New York page.
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