NYC Prepares for Protests Following Minneapolis Trial

NEW YORK
FILE — In his June 4, 2020 file photo, New York City Police Department officers stand in formation after arresting multiple protesters marching after curfew on Fifth Avenue, in New York, following the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

The NYD is planning for possible protests and unrest once the Minneapolis trial of police officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd concludes, ad they hope to avoid a repeat of the anger and accusations of violence that occurred over last summer’s protests in New York City.

“We’re hoping for calm and peace,” Commissioner Dermot Shea told NY1. “We are going to be mobilizing to have at the ready, we’ve already been drilling large numbers of police officers. If there is a situation where there is going to be protests or things of that nature that we all agree that we just want to do it calmly and peacefully with no injuries, no property damage.”

Last year, protests erupted throughout the country when graphic video of Chauvin kneeled on a prone Floyd as Floyd begged for air. Floyd died shortly after in the hospital. In New York City, political protests were marred by acts of vandalism and looting, as well as police allegedly acting with violence towards unarmed protestors, and illegally arresting protestors in violation of their First Amendment rights.

The police’s handling of the protests last summer prompted nearly 300 formal complaints of unnecessary aggression against protestors, WCBS 880 reported.

In January, New York State Attorney General Leitita James sued the NYPD for excessive force and inadequate training.

 

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smarcus@hamodia.com 

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