Though most of New York City’s protests for Eric Garner have been peaceful, a few clashes during Saturday’s Millions March has left the NYPD facing an “operational dilemma,” compelling officers to rethink their approach, reports Pix 11. At least two officers were assaulted on the Brooklyn Bridge, and in Murray Hill, a group of protesters smashed the window of an NYPD car with two officers in it, kicking it, throwing a garbage can at, and smashing it with a metal pipe, the New York Post reports.
“Top commanders are set to meet Monday to talk strategy going forward,” reported Pix 11, noting footage of a small group of protesters chanting, “What do we want? Dead cops! When do we want it? Now!” has added to their growing concerns.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has encouraged peaceful demonstrations, has favored the NYPD’s hands-off approach, but tensions between the officers and de Blasio have increased since the protests started. In reference to the assault, De Blasio said the attack was “an incident . . . in which a small group of protesters allegedly assaulted some members of the NYPD,” the Post reports. De Blasio has already been asked not to attend funerals of fallen officers by the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, and his use of the word “alleged” angered Michael Palladino, president of the NYPD Detectives’ Endowment Association. “When cops are the accused, the word ‘alleged’ never enters into the discussion,” he told the Post.
Others had stronger choice words for de Blasio:
Ed Mullins of the Sergeants Benevolent Association called de Blasio a “total nincompoop” for his handling of the situation.
“His actions are contributing to the injuries that are being received by the NYPD,” Mullins said.
“Maybe he should be out there to take the broken nose for the lieutenant. Ask him if he’d be willing to stand out there and take the punches for the cops,” he added.
Even Cardinal Timothy Dolan has criticized de Blasio in op-ed in the New York Daily News. However, titling it, “Demonizing NYPD or city’s leaders won’t unite New York,” the cardinal also called the NYPD’s response to de Blasio “equally unfair and counterproductive.”
(Photo: Bucky Turco/ANIMALNewYork)
