Council Members Jumaane Williams & Laurie Cumbo Arrested At Rent Protest In Albany

New York State Police arrested dozens of protesters and advocates of rent laws — including Councilmembers Laurie Cumbo, Jumaane Williams, and Corey Johnson — as they stood outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office in Albany.

The arrests began just over an hour ago, according to the Twitter feeds of Cumbo and Williams, as well as activists with the Flatbush Tenant Coalition, Make The Road NY, Tenant Power NY, and New York Communities For Change.

Cumbo’s Communications Director, Kristia Beaubrun, confirmed that Cumbo was arrested in an email to us: “At this time, CM Cumbo is in Albany and was arrested while advocating for stronger rent laws.” “I want to make sure that I stood on the right side of history. So I stand with the tenants,” Cumbo said to the assembled group of protesters shortly before arrests began.

We’ll update with more information as it becomes available.