New York City Council Watch

2009 Human Rights Report Card 

The Human Rights Report Card aims to provide reliable and accessible information on the performance of City Council representatives in protecting and advancing the basic human rights of New Yorkers in 2009.

The 51 members of the New York City Council are elected to protect the interests of all New Yorkers. As the primary law-making body of the City, and with the power to approve the City’s budget, the City Council makes decisions that affect the lives of New Yorkers on a daily basis. Like every governmental body, the City Council has a duty to protect the basic human rights of its constituents. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Health, food, housing, education, work, freedom of expression, and freedom from discrimination are some of the human rights that are not always protected or advanced by the decisions City Council makes—and when they are, many New Yorkers do not hear about the good work of the Council in order to take advantage of the stronger protections available.

Top Ten Council Members

1. Tony Avella

2. Letitia James

3. Melissa Mark Viverito

4. John Liu

5. Rosie Mendez (tie)

5. Daniel Garodnick (tie)

6. Gale Brewer (tie)

6. Thomas White (tie)

7. David Yassky

8. Bill de Blasio (tie)

8. Kendall Stewart (tie)

9. David Weprin (tie)

9. Alan Gerson (tie)

9. Oliver Koppell (tie)

10. Eric Gioia