Bill Text: NY J01740 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourning the death of Viola Plummer, distinguished citizen, and devoted member of her community

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 42-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-01-30 - ADOPTED [J01740 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01740-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1740

BY: Senator BRISPORT

        MOURNING the death of Viola Plummer, distinguished
        citizen, and devoted member of her community

  WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through  their  commitment  and  dedication,  have  served to better the
quality of life in our community and  have  had  a  measurable  positive
impact  on  the  lives  of  New  Yorkers;  Viola  Plummer  was  one such
individual; and

  WHEREAS, It is with  profound  sorrow  and  deep  regret  that  this
Legislative  Body  records  the  passing  of  Viola  Plummer, noting the
significance of her purposeful life and accomplishments; and

  WHEREAS, Viola Plummer died on Dr. Martin Luther King  Day,  Monday,
January 15, 2024, in New York City, at the age of 86; and

  WHEREAS, Viola Plummer had been a freedom fighter since 1954; and

  WHEREAS,  At  the  age  of  17,  Viola  Plummer  joined the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and

  WHEREAS, Along with Sonny  Abubadika  Carson,  Coltrane  Chimurenga,
Elombe  Brath, and Father Lucas, Viola Plummer founded the December 12th
Movement in 1987, as a Brooklyn-based  civil  rights  organization  that
addresses   issues  of  racism,  gentrification,  reparations,  criminal
justice, and education in New York communities; and

  WHEREAS, Viola Plummer served as the  chairperson  of  the  December
12th Movement from 2002 until her death in 2024; and

  WHEREAS,  In  1995, Viola Plummer founded Sistas' Place, a live jazz
music venue in Bedford Stuyvesant which serves as a  meeting  place  for
the  December  12th Movement and other organizations advancing issues of
racial and social justice; and

  WHEREAS, Viola Plummer participated in  several  thousand  protests,
rallies, and victories over the course of her life, advocating on behalf
of  U.S.  political  prisoners, and campaigning against unchecked police
brutality, among many other issues; and

  WHEREAS,  Viola  Plummer  was  a  fierce  advocate  for   liberation
struggles around the world; and

  WHEREAS,   Viola   Plummer   served   as   Chief-of-Staff  for  both
Assembly/City Councilmembers Inez and Charles Barron; and

  WHEREAS, In the decades and years leading up to 2023, Viola  Plummer
was  a  movement  leader  and  advocate for reparations in New York, who
worked tirelessly with the December 12th Movement, N'COBRA, Institute of
the Black World 21st Century, and NAACP to ultimately  pass  legislation
to create a New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies;
and

  WHEREAS,  Viola  Plummer  was  a forthright, unyielding, undeterred,
bold, outspoken, unequivocal warrior-leader who  stood  flat-footed  and
did not retreat; and

  WHEREAS,    Viola   Plummer   symbolized   resistance,   revolution,
commitment, love, power,  and  the  need  for  struggle  to  change  our
conditions; and

  WHEREAS,  Viola Plummer leaves behind a legacy that will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory  to  all  who
were privileged to have known and loved her; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Viola Plummer, and to express its deepest condolences
to her family; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of Viola Plummer.