In response to Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address, the New York Civil Liberties Union released the following statement, attributable to NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman:

“We’re pleased that the governor’s priorities for the coming session include a vigorous agenda for women’s equality that would make major strides in closing loopholes in New York’s existing protections for women. We particularly applaud his commitment to pay equity, extending protections against sexual harassment to all workers in New York, and protecting women’s fundamental right to choose.

“We also welcome the governor’s renewed commitment to addressing the NYPD’s marijuana arrest crusade. While not the solution to the plague of stop-and-frisk abuses that New York’s communities of color suffer from, the governor’s recognition of the need to clarify New York’s marijuana laws is important and marks a significant step toward the day when low-income communities and communities of color will no longer have to fear the police who are supposed to protect them.

“And the governor’s endorsement of the videotaping of confessions should also be applauded.”