A pair of Brooklyn state lawmakers on Monday filed swimsuit towards the town, the NYPD and a number of other high police officers, claiming they have been rammed by cops with bicycles and pepper sprayed throughout an anti-police brutality protest final summer time.
State Assemblywoman Diana Richardson and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, each Democrats representing Crown Heights and surrounding areas, declare within the Brooklyn federal courtroom swimsuit that their constitutional rights — together with their First Modification Proper to free speech — have been violated by the cops in the course of the protest outdoors Barclays Heart final Might.
The swimsuit claims the lawmakers have been assaulted by cops on Might 29 after the NYPD introduced they have been going to interrupt up the protest — and commenced “kettling” demonstrators close to the sector.
Advancing cops then smashed into a few of the protesters with their bikes, together with Richardson and Myrie, the swimsuit states.
“The bicycle officers forcibly rammed their bicycles into Assemblywoman Richardson’s legs, decrease stomach, and pelvic space, hitting her repeatedly,” the swimsuit states.
“The bicycle officers started forcibly ramming bicycles into Senator Myrie’s Bak, arms, and legs, hitting him repeatedly,” it provides.
Each of the lawmakers have been pepper sprayed in the course of the commotion after questioning the cops’ use of pressure, the swimsuit provides.
The pair are looking for damages to be decided at trial.
The protest outdoors of Barclays Heart that night was the primary main demonstration within the metropolis following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
Riots and looting ultimately took maintain within the New York within the days after — and vandals destroyed some 300 NYPD autos in the course of the uprisings, costing taxpayers practically $1 million.
The NYPD’s chief of division, Rodney Harrison, mentioned at an unrelated press convention that it’s necessary for the division to be taught from errors as they transfer ahead.
“Ninety-nine p.c of our interactions I wish to say find yourself optimistic. You’re going to have a share, sadly, that don’t go the path that we like,” Harrison mentioned.
“It’s necessary that we be taught from these errors and change into a greater police division to guard the town,” he added.
In an announcement, a spokesperson for the Metropolis Regulation Division mentioned they might evaluation the claims within the swimsuit.
“The NYPD has a longstanding observe file of efficiently defending the best of the general public to protest whereas guaranteeing public security, and is dedicated to strengthening these efforts. We’ll evaluation these claims,” the spokesperson mentioned.
