Vigils Held in Rochester to Mark Five Years Since Daniel Prude’s Arrest, Push for Daniel’s Law
On Sunday, dozens of advocates and community members gathered at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Dr. Samuel McCree Way to honor Daniel Prude, five years after his fatal encounter with Rochester police.
The vigil, attended by about 40 people, aimed to commemorate Prude’s life and push for the passage of “Daniel’s Law,” legislation that would change how mental health crises are handled in New York State by replacing police officers with trained mental health professionals and peers with lived experience.
Daniel Prude, a Black man in the midst of a mental health crisis, died in March 2020 after being restrained by Rochester police officers while naked and unarmed. His death, ruled a homicide, sparked nationwide outrage after body camera footage was released months later. No criminal charges were filed against the officers involved.
“Each year that we come together to remember him, we not only keep his name alive, but we keep in our minds that the fight continues,” said Stanley Martin, a member of the Rochester City Council and organizer with Free the People Rochester.
Currently, "Daniel's Law," remains under consideration in the New York State Legislature. The proposed legislation aims to transform the response to mental health crises by deploying trained mental health professionals instead of police officers as first responders.
The bill has been introduced annually since Prude's death in 2020. In May 2024, it passed the State Senate's Mental Health Committee and advanced to the Finance Committee, where it stalled during the previous legislative session. Advocates continue to push for its progression, emphasizing the need for a public health approach to mental health emergencies.
In December 2024, the Daniel's Law Task Force released a report recommending the establishment of a statewide, health-led crisis response system. The report outlines protocols for behavioral health crises and proposes creating a Behavioral Health Crisis Technical Assistance Center to support implementation.
While some local initiatives, such as Rochester's Person in Crisis (PIC) team, have implemented alternative response models, advocates argue that statewide legislation is necessary to ensure uniformity and sustainability across New York. They stress that without a legal mandate, local programs could be discontinued at any time, highlighting the importance of passing Daniel's Law to institutionalize these reforms.
“On the 5 year anniversary of the loss of Daniel Prude, we reflect on Daniel’s life & think about how he would still be here today if the right responders answered the call,” State Sen. Samra Brouk (D-Rochester) wrote on Facebook. “Thank you Daniel’s Law NY for honoring the Prude family & inspiring our fight in Albany to #passdanielslaw.”
Coordinated events were also held in Albany and New York City to mark the anniversary and demand the bill’s passage.
As the Rochester community reflected on the loss, advocates renewed their commitment to ensuring that people in crisis are met with care, not force.
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