NYC Council’s Hanks Uses “Race Hustler” Malcolm Penn to Attack Cops and Hero NYPD Officer Gerard Carter’s Legacy
By Rick LaRivière, M. Thomas Nast, and Frankie Pressman
Malcolm Penn is no community leader. He’s a race hustler pushing a political stunt—and Staten Island cops and the community have had enough.
This Wednesday, Penn plans a “rally” outside the Gerard Carter Center in Stapleton. His stated reason? “Cultural incompetence” at the YMCA-run community hub.
But insiders know the truth. This has nothing to do with safety or justice.
It’s a targeted political hit job on the memory of fallen NYPD hero Officer Gerard Carter, whose name adorns the center—and a campaign favor for embattled NYC Council Member Kamillah Hanks.
“This is classic race hustle politics,” said one retired NYPD officer. “Penn is running a distraction for Kamillah. And he’s doing it on the grave of a murdered cop.”
The Real Agenda: Hanks’ Election Desperation
Kamillah Hanks is fighting for her political life. She faces a brutal primary on June 24, challenged by Gerard Carter’s widow, Jozette Carter-Williams, and community leader Abou Diakhate.
Hanks is losing support fast—especially from law enforcement and local Democrats.
Penn’s rally is her attempt to strike back. It’s dirty politics under the guise of community activism. And it’s disgraceful.
“Violence inside & outside the Gerard Carter Center has been normalized for a decade,” Penn posted. “Their answer is more NYPD!!!”
That’s a lie. YMCA staff and NYPD officers responded appropriately to a single, isolated incident last weekend. Penn knows it. But truth isn’t the goal—chaos is.
Follow the Money: True2Life’s Grift and Hanks’ Quid Pro Quo
Penn’s group, True2Life, was booted from the Carter Center last year. Their results were minimal.
Their cop-hating politics were public. And their advocacy for cop-killer Shatiek Johnson—who murdered Officer Carter—was unforgivable.
True2Life got $105,000 from Kamillah Hanks through her Council office. That funding is now suspended.
Insiders say Penn is using this rally as leverage: stir up trouble for Hanks’ political rival, Jozette Carter-Williams, and he gets his funding back after the election.
“If he manufactures a ‘crisis,’ Kamillah gives him his check,” said one Staten Island political insider. “It’s a disgraceful quid pro quo.”
Race Hustling Destroys Trust
What Penn is doing isn’t activism—it’s opportunism.
It’s Al Sharpton-style race baiting designed to exploit racial tension for political and financial gain. And it hurts the very community Penn claims to represent.
“People like Penn make it harder for real activists to be taken seriously,” said one retired African-American NYPD officer. “He weaponizes pain for power.”
By crying “racism” where there is none, Penn undermines real efforts to address actual issues of inequality.
The result? Communities grow more divided. Public safety declines. And trust in institutions—especially those serving children like the Carter Center—evaporates.
“It’s a dangerous hustle,” said a local YMCA member. “They’re not here to help. They’re here to burn it down.”
Hanks’ Cop-Hating Record
Hanks’ disdain for police is no secret.
She sponsored the “How Many Stops Act”—a measure law enforcement says “handcuffs good cops and protects criminals.”
NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) President Vincent Vallelong is irate with Hanks’ hypocrisy.
“She sold herself as pro-law enforcement for endorsements, but her vote exposes a lack of truthfulness and transparency. As Public Safety Committee Chair, her support of this idiotic bill demonstrates ignorance of police work and disregard for public safety,” Vallelong said.
Hanks funds groups like True2Life, which defends gang bangers and push for cop killer parole.
She refuses to return campaign cash from drug kingpin Ettore Mazzei—who sat on her nonprofit board.
“She’s done more to hurt police in Staten Island than anyone in memory,” said one NYPD line of duty family member.
Malcolm Penn: Another Bobby Digi?
Penn’s tactics mirror those of Henry “Bobby Digi” Olisa, the baby daddy of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo.
Olisa’s Canvas Institute got $105,000 in taxpayer funding through Hanks, despite Digi’s repreatedly failure to file taxes.
“He’s Bobby Digi 2.0,” said a Democratic strategist. “No paperwork, no accountability, just noise from Malcolm Penn.”
Like Sharpton and Digi before him, Penn knows how to stir unrest.
But this time, the cost is too high.
He’s desecrating the name of a fallen NYPD officer and putting innocent staff and families at the Carter Center in the crossfire.
Wednesday’s rally at the Gerard Carter Center isn’t about justice. It’s about revenge, money, and votes.
Kamillah Hanks and Malcolm Penn are playing with fire—using a murdered cop’s name to score political points and win power.
“Penn’s rally is a disgrace,” said a retired NYPD Sergeant. “And Kamillah Hanks is the disgrace behind it.”
On June 24, voters get their say. Let’s hope they see through the lies.
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