A news conference from more than a week ago continues to cause controversy across the state.

What You Need To Know

  • The People's Protection Plan Coalition disagrees with a 10-step proposal to add protections for police issued by the New York State Sheriff's Association 

  • The proposal included new legislative action that would make resisting arrest a felony

  • The activist group has called for the resignation of every sheriff who spoke at the press conference the proposal was announced at

On July 15, the New York State Sheriff's Association highlighted a 10-step proposal to the legislature to add protections for police.

Members of law enforcement spoke out against the rising number of cops killed in the line of duty this year, along with social unrest.

But in the Southern Tier, the People's Protection Plan Coalition disagrees with the proposals.

"We're going to be calling out their lies, their B.S., and their dangerous proposals at every opportunity we can, all across the Southern Tier for as long as it takes to discredit this garbage," said Andy Pragacz, Justice and Unity in the Southern Tier co-founder.

The original sheriff's plan would allow police to charge any person who gets within 25 feet of a member of law enforcement while they're performing their duties with a Class D felony.

Resisting arrest would also be elevated to a felony.

Police have said this would allow them to safely conduct their duties without fear of retaliation from crowds.

Advocates though, believe these target people of color for exercising their first amendment rights.

"It is clear we, as advocates, are doing something right when police recoil in fear and produce such outrageous proposals as to come within 25 feet of them. It would be laughable if also not terrifying," said Alexis Pleus, Truth Pharm founder.

At the Broome County news conference, some sheriff's stated that issues of racism and police brutality weren't problems in their communities.

They pointed to community outreach programs, and the several meetings they have with communities.

But advocates disagree.

"How wrong they are. They kill inmates behind walls. We track the data of the disparities of people of color being arrested in Broome County compared to whites and we witness police brutality with our own eyes," said Pleus.

The group is now calling for the resignation of every sheriff who spoke at the news conference.

"Before we end up with an 80-year-old sheriff who pre-dates the civil rights movement, I am calling for his immediate resignation for the sake of all residents of Broome County in the Southern Tier. Harder must go," said Salka Valerio, community activist.

The group is planning a protest tour throughout the Southern Tier, kicking off this Sunday at the Martin Luther King statue.