Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn Introducing Prison Reform Bill In Honor of Michael K. Williams

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New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, a representative for Brooklyn, New York, told TMZ that she and her team are attempting to propose a prison reform bill in honor of the late actor, Michael K. Williams.Hermelyn and her team diligently work with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on the bill intending to lower the state’s prison population.

The bill will focus on Black and Latino youth– who make up a disproportionate amount of inmates and is a cause that the actor always felt was important as an ACLU ambassador for ending mass incarceration.

Hermelyn mentions that despite wanting to work towards the bill’s passing, she understands that Williams’ family needs time to recover from his tragic passing and plans to meet with them to discuss the bill when the timing is more appropriate.

The lawmaker also said that before his death, Williams was working with her husband, Edu, and actor Jamie Hector to coordinate a back-to-school event to distribute supplies to the children and parents of Flatbush, the neighborhood where the late actor grew up.

The event is set to take place on September 12 and will be a yearly remembrance event as a tribute to Williams.

The use of solitary confinement is a human rights violation. It is cruel, inhumane, unethical and counterproductive. #HALTsolitary #KaliefBrowder @NYCLU @amnestyusa @BlckTransNation @UNHumanright @UrbanJustice pic.twitter.com/VE5DQWeNdG

— Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (@AMBichotte) March 16, 2021

Hermelyn said that in honor of her friend, the late actor, she hopes to continue advocating as a voice for at-risk youth in New York as well as for arts and cultural programming funds in East Flatbush. As we previously reported, Williams was found dead on Monday of a suspected drug overdose in his Brooklyn penthouse.