Michael K. Williams ’legacy can live on forever in his hometown of New York, thanks to a new criminal justice reform bill.
The assembly of Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D-Brooklyn) is working on legislation aimed at curbing state prison rates in honor of the late actor, who grew up in his district.
“Michael K. Williams’ bill will serve to reduce mass imprisonment, which disproportionately harms people of color and costs taxpayers millions of dollars, ”Hermelyn told The Post in a statement.
The five-time Emmy nominee, who died Monday at the age of 54, used his fame as a platform to talk about prison reform, including as an “ambassador for the American Civil Liberties Union to” end the ‘mass imprisonment’.
“That was Michael’s mission, and in New York State, we can and should do better,” Hermelyn said. “We will keep our communities safe and reduce the racist policies that have led to the U.S. for-profit criminal justice system.”
Hermelyn, the president of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, told TMZ that she first reported on the bill, which she planned to meet with Williams’ family to discuss the law in her honor when the time comes.
He said he was working with the ACLU to draft the legislation. New York State Senator Kevin Parker will bring the law to the Senate.
It is not guaranteed that the bill will pass, however. There has been a backlash against some of New York’s criminal justice reform measures, with state lawmakers who have been subjected to law enforcement by the law that removed cash bail for many crimes and went return to the streets to the accused with sheets of monkfish.
The issue of mass imprisonment was personal to Williams, a native of East Flatbush, who spoke of having relatives in the system, including his nephew, Dominic Dupont.
Dupont, who was convicted of murder at the age of 19 and served 20 years of a life sentence before being commuted by the then governor. Andrew Cuomo, in 2017, told The Post on Tuesday that his uncle was “instrumental” in getting him through the prison experience.
“It would work hard to be a mentor to me and encourage me to stay focused on the important things,” Dupont said in front of his uncle’s tall tower in Williamsburg, where he was seen again Wednesday.
The two worked together on the nonprofit organization Williams founded, Making Kids Win, which offers opportunities for city teens who are at risk of engaging in gun violence.
The activist actor also supported the work of another young non-profit organization against violence, NYC Together, and was outspoken about police reform.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said Tuesday that he met with Williams earlier this year to discuss efforts to “collaborate” with the NYPD, but that he did not disclose any details.
Prior to her tragic death, Hermelyn said Williams had been working with her husband, Crown Heights District leader Edu Hermelyn, and her “The Wire” co-star Jamie Hector at a return event. at school to distribute supplies to Flatbush children.
According to TMZ, Sunday’s draw will become an annual event in honor of Williams.
“The East Flatbush community mourns Michael, a true hero,” Hermelyn told The Post.