New York City has taken the first step in appealing last week’s court ruling that said police “stop-and-frisk” tactics are unconstitutional. The city filed a notice of appeal on Friday, giving it three months to submit a formal brief. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly claimed that curbing “stop-and-frisk” would result in more violent crime.

David Gregory: “If a program like 'stop-and-frisk' is abandoned, will people die?”

Ray Kelly: “Well, I think, no question about it, violent crime will go up. And again, this is not a program. This is something that’s integral to policing. This happens throughout America in any police jurisdiction. You have to do it. Officers have to have the right of inquiry, if they see some suspicious behavior. So I can assure you this is not just a New York City issue. It’s an issue throughout America.”

Last week’s court ruling found that “stop-and-frisk” as it is currently used discriminates against African Americans and Latinos. Also appearing on “Meet the Press,” Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, spoke out against the program.

Sybrina Fulton: “You have to give not only civilians, but you have to give the police officers the right direction. You can’t give people the authority, whether it’s a civilian or police officers, the right to just stop somebody because of the color of their skin.”