NYPD Sued By Attorney General For Brutality Against George Floyd Protesters

Months after viral videos surfaced showing NYPD’s aggressive actions towards George Floyd protesters, the Attorney General is suing the NYPD.

Source: Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images / Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images

Last summer, when the George Floyd protests happened around the world, many people thought and hoped this would bring some sort of change. However, in some cities, police doubled down on the brutality and violence that caused the protests in the first place.

In New York City, soon after the protests started, videos surfaced of NYPD ramming protestors with their cars and using excessive force with protesters who seemed to be peaceful on all accounts. Public police scanners even caught NYPD officers saying they should shoot and run over protesters. Now, they will be held accountable via the State Attorney General Letitia James.

“There is no question that the NYPD engaged in a pattern of excessive, brutal, and unlawful force against peaceful protesters,” James on Thursday. “Over the past few months, the NYPD has repeatedly and blatantly violated the rights of New Yorkers, inflicting significant physical and psychological harm and leading to great distrust in law enforcement. With today’s lawsuit, this longstanding pattern of brutal and illegal force ends. No one is above the law—not even the individuals charged with enforcing it.”

CNN noted that the suit calls out NYPD commissioner Dermot Shea and Mayor Bill De Blasio amongst others for failing to address a “longstanding pattern of abuse” within the city’s law enforcement. James added that police officials have not received the proper training to effectively prevent and address misconduct.

Following the news, De Blasio revealed later in a statement that he has been in talks with James to create plans that will “drive major police reforms.”

“I couldn’t agree more that there are pressing reforms that must — and will — be made this year,” de Blasio continued.

“That work is critical and is happening right now. A court process and the added bureaucracy of a federal monitor will not speed up this work. There is no time to waste and we will continue to press forward.”

With the recent attacks on the Capitol, now more than ever is time to make an example and show that no one is above the law and unlawful behavior will come with accountability.