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Association Ma’onah welcomes the announcement by the Governor of New York of a new law aimed at providing protection for employees and workers in small businesses and combating small-scale retail theft as part of the Fiscal Year 25 budget agreement.

▶ Exclusive / Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration / NYC .

The Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration (AMHRI) in New York welcomed the law announced by Governor Kathy Hochul on April 18th, aimed at eliminating retail theft and protecting small business workers under the state's Fiscal Year 25 budget agreement.

According Association (AMHRI) to the statement, the law is included in the state's new budget, which has been voted on and announced. The state has allocated $40.2 million for this purpose, supporting efforts to combat retail theft by supporting the New York State Police and enforcing local law. New criminal penalties will be established to prosecute attacks on retail workers and small businesses, enabling business owners to access a $5 million tax credit for security cameras and other theft prevention expenses.

(AMHRI) stated that this new law, included in the state's budget, will empower law enforcement, prosecutors, and business owners further through comprehensive legislative measures targeting all areas of vulnerability.

The (AMHRI) President, Lawyer Mohammed Ali Alaw, praised Governor Hochul's announcement of this important law, which will practically contribute to supporting efforts to combat widespread small-scale retail theft and ensure the protection of retail workers and the communities they serve through robust policies outlined in the approved budget. He extended his sincere gratitude to the Governor, her government, the city mayor, all legislators, and stakeholders who contributed to passing the budget and enacting this law.

The (AMHRI) reported monitoring and documenting several instances of theft and robbery in small retail stores, accompanied by attacks on workers, some resulting in murder, robbery, and bodily harm, with many victims being members of the Yemeni community working in small stores in the state . Furthermore, the league documented several criminal acts occurring in local supermarkets and small stores in the state amid a perplexing silence from authorities, turning their daily struggle and calls for protection into a media phenomenon and rights advocacy campaigns by vulnerable communities, victims' communities, and non-governmental organizations. All these efforts culminated in providing the legislative protection outlined in this law.

The Association takes pride in being at the forefront of rights advocacy campaigns in these matters, partnering with the Yemeni community leadership in New York and various associations and communities. The league, in partnership with affected community entities and the state government, will work to advocate for the rights of beneficiaries through community partnerships and collaboration, ensuring societal oversight of this law's implementation to achieve the best outcomes and serve everyone's best interests.

The (AMHRI) announced its intention to honor the Governor, the city mayor, and several activists with a shield and certificate of appreciation for their tangible efforts in promoting public safety in the state. This will be done at a special event organized by the league for this purpose, with further details to be announced later, aiming to motivate efforts, encourage cooperation, and foster partnerships. It will work in partnership with community organizations and governmental bodies to monitor the law's implementation and ensure it serves everyone's best interests.

The Association emphasized that it has been proactive in leading rights advocacy campaigns on these issues, collaborating closely with the Yemeni community leadership in New York and various associations and communities. Together, they have formulated proposals and joint activities to support business operations, achieve community security, protect retail workers, and reduce crime. The issuance of this law reflects the responsiveness of the state government's leadership to rights advocacy campaigns on this issue. Today, they express confidence that their proposals have been incorporated into the announcement made by Governor Hochul and will have a significant impact on protecting the lives of employees and small businesses throughout New York City and the state.

On this occasion, the Association Ma’onah decided to honor the state Governor, the Mayor of New York City, and several activists with shields and certificates of appreciation for their tangible efforts in enhancing public safety in the state. A ceremony will be organized by the Association for this purpose, details of which will be announced later. The aim is to stimulate efforts, promote collaboration, and foster partnerships. The league will work in a community partnership model to advocate for the rights of beneficiaries, collaborating with community and governmental entities to ensure effective enforcement of this law and to achieve optimal outcomes for all.