Here’s How to Testify to the City Council

Mar 13

Here's How to Testify to the City Council
  Make your voice heard and help move safe streets legislation forward.

Signing up to testify:

You do not need to sign up to testify in advance for in-person meetings, but it is a good practice to sign up at least the day before, no matter how you wish to testify (in person, phone, zoom). Sign up here: https://council.nyc.gov/testify/.
If you require accommodations: email EEOOfficer@council.nyc.gov or call (212) 788-6936 three business days before the hearing in question.
If you require translation services email translationservice@council.nyc.gov at least three business days before the hearing

What to expect n the day:

They will call your name when it’s your turn to speak
Each speaker will have 2-3 minutes to speak. There will be a count-down clock in the corner of the screen showing how much time you have left
Interpreters will be available and speakers using interpretation will have extra time.
You can read from written testimony or just say what you think

Template outline for your spoken testimony:

Introduce yourself
Thank the Chair, Selvena Brooks-Powers, and the members of the committee, for convening the hearing
Say what neighborhood you live or commute in
Explain how the hearing topic directly impacts your life, commute, or mobility options
Include your calls to action: what do you want the committee to do? If speaking for or against a piece of legislation, say so directly and include the reasons why
Submit your testimony at https://council.nyc.gov/testify/

If you write your testimony but don’t join the hearing:

Use the same template outline as above. A written testimony can be as long as you like, so include as much information as
Submit online at https://council.nyc.gov/testify/
You have up to 72 hours after the hearing ends to send in your written testimony.

Here's How to Testify to the City Council