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Cuomo Criticizes de Blasio Over Looting as 8 P.M. Curfew Is Set: Live Updates Cuomo Criticizes de Blasio Over Looting as 8 P.M. Curfew Is Set: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday sharply criticized the New York Police Department and second-guessed Mayor Bill de Blasio’s handling of the widespread looting that seized parts of New York City on Monday night.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday sharply criticized the New York Police Department and second-guessed Mayor Bill de Blasio’s handling of the widespread looting that seized parts of New York City on Monday night.
“The N.Y.P.D. and the mayor did not do their job last night,” Mr. Cuomo said. “It was rampant looting across the city last night that they did not stop.”“The N.Y.P.D. and the mayor did not do their job last night,” Mr. Cuomo said. “It was rampant looting across the city last night that they did not stop.”
“Look at the videos — it was a disgrace,” the governor said, adding that Mr. de Blasio “underestimates the scope of the problem” in controlling the nightly protests that have been marred by looting and violent outbursts from participants and police officers alike.“Look at the videos — it was a disgrace,” the governor said, adding that Mr. de Blasio “underestimates the scope of the problem” in controlling the nightly protests that have been marred by looting and violent outbursts from participants and police officers alike.
Mr. Cuomo said the state police and 13,000 members of the National Guard were on standby. But Mr. de Blasio has said he opposes bringing in the National Guard, as President Trump has encouraged.Mr. Cuomo said the state police and 13,000 members of the National Guard were on standby. But Mr. de Blasio has said he opposes bringing in the National Guard, as President Trump has encouraged.
“We do not need nor do we think it’s wise for the National Guard to be in New York City,” Mr. de Blasio said at his daily briefing on Tuesday, calling it unwise to bring “outside armed forces into a situation they are not trained for.”“We do not need nor do we think it’s wise for the National Guard to be in New York City,” Mr. de Blasio said at his daily briefing on Tuesday, calling it unwise to bring “outside armed forces into a situation they are not trained for.”
The mayor extended the city’s 8 p.m. curfew through June 7 and promised to take action against the “outsiders,” “gang members” and “common criminals” he said were responsible for looting and violence in Manhattan and the Bronx on Monday night.The mayor extended the city’s 8 p.m. curfew through June 7 and promised to take action against the “outsiders,” “gang members” and “common criminals” he said were responsible for looting and violence in Manhattan and the Bronx on Monday night.
“I know we will overcome this. I want to be abundantly clear,” the mayor said before adding that “we will have a tough few days.”“I know we will overcome this. I want to be abundantly clear,” the mayor said before adding that “we will have a tough few days.”
The mayor defended the police response to the looting, and called on civic, religious and neighborhood leaders to step forward and encourage peaceful protests while telling New Yorkers to prepare for a few more days of unrest.The mayor defended the police response to the looting, and called on civic, religious and neighborhood leaders to step forward and encourage peaceful protests while telling New Yorkers to prepare for a few more days of unrest.
Mr. Cuomo repeatedly said he would need to “displace” the mayor in order to send in the National Guard. But to do so now, he added, could make an already chaotic situation even worse.Mr. Cuomo repeatedly said he would need to “displace” the mayor in order to send in the National Guard. But to do so now, he added, could make an already chaotic situation even worse.
But the governor made clear that the onus was on the mayor to get things under control.But the governor made clear that the onus was on the mayor to get things under control.
“I am not happy with last night, and the police did not do their job last night,” the governor said. “What happened in New York City is inexcusable.”“I am not happy with last night, and the police did not do their job last night,” the governor said. “What happened in New York City is inexcusable.”
Mr. de Blasio seemed to be trying to accomplish two goals in his briefing: unifying New Yorkers against recent acts of violence and looting, and explaining why a citywide curfew was necessary.Mr. de Blasio seemed to be trying to accomplish two goals in his briefing: unifying New Yorkers against recent acts of violence and looting, and explaining why a citywide curfew was necessary.
By beginning the curfew at 8 p.m. instead of 11 p.m., the police would be in better position to address “any situation where someone is trying to do violence to person or property,” the mayor said in explaining his decision.By beginning the curfew at 8 p.m. instead of 11 p.m., the police would be in better position to address “any situation where someone is trying to do violence to person or property,” the mayor said in explaining his decision.
He said that New Yorkers — from the city’s Police Department to ordinary citizens — were better equipped to deal with the looting and violence than outsiders like the National Guard.He said that New Yorkers — from the city’s Police Department to ordinary citizens — were better equipped to deal with the looting and violence than outsiders like the National Guard.
“The people of New York City are strong and resilient. The people of New York City are good and decent people. The people of New York City stand up no matter what’s thrown at them,” Mr. de Blasio said.“The people of New York City are strong and resilient. The people of New York City are good and decent people. The people of New York City stand up no matter what’s thrown at them,” Mr. de Blasio said.
He talked about being born in the city in 1961 and how over the next few decades it had overcome the threat of financial collapse, white flight and the AIDS and crack epidemics of the 1980s and ’90s.He talked about being born in the city in 1961 and how over the next few decades it had overcome the threat of financial collapse, white flight and the AIDS and crack epidemics of the 1980s and ’90s.
The mayor added that the city was still in the midst of an enormous health challenge in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak; he said that the city was moving forward to begin the first phase of reopening on June 8 in spite of the unrest. He cited statistics showing a decline in the number of coronavirus infections.The mayor added that the city was still in the midst of an enormous health challenge in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak; he said that the city was moving forward to begin the first phase of reopening on June 8 in spite of the unrest. He cited statistics showing a decline in the number of coronavirus infections.
Just two weeks ago, he said, the city was focused almost exclusively on beating back the pandemic. But the combination of the coronavirus and the economic ruin it has brought, along with the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota, has taken a toll on the city.Just two weeks ago, he said, the city was focused almost exclusively on beating back the pandemic. But the combination of the coronavirus and the economic ruin it has brought, along with the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota, has taken a toll on the city.
“This is a horrible perfect storm we’re living through,” the mayor said.“This is a horrible perfect storm we’re living through,” the mayor said.
In 1943, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia imposed an emergency curfew after rioting in Harlem that was touched off when a white police officer shot a black soldier. Five people were killed during the ensuing protests. The city was also subject to a nationwide curfew on “places of public amusement,” such as bars in 1945, as a fuel conservation measure.In 1943, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia imposed an emergency curfew after rioting in Harlem that was touched off when a white police officer shot a black soldier. Five people were killed during the ensuing protests. The city was also subject to a nationwide curfew on “places of public amusement,” such as bars in 1945, as a fuel conservation measure.
At the National September 11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, police vastly outnumbered the peaceful protesters who had gathered there to sing gospel songs, offer prayers, and, in the words of one organizer, “be the voice of reason” when there is violence.
Thousands of protesters took over Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn on Monday, and although they halted traffic, there were no confrontations with the police. It was a peaceful start following a violent night of looting and police confrontations that ended with more than 700 people arrested, according to police officials. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday urged local community leaders to help prevent violence and looting that have taken place amid protests following the death at the hands of the police of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
People marching along Bergen Street in Brooklyn were cheered along by car horns and residents waving from their front doors as officers lined the sidewalks. At the 9/11 memorial, Stephane Clerge, the 27-year-old who founded a group that organized the event, told the crowd, “People that want peace oftentimes stay home.”
And outside the 90th Precinct, on Union Avenue in Brooklyn, nearly three hours of demonstrations that included some tense moments ended with a police commander offering to have his squad put down their helmets and gun belts and hug protesters. “But it’s often in the violence that you should show yourself and be the voice of reason,” he said.
In Queens, a vigil at Astoria Park drew hundreds of people. The crowd reflected the area’s diversity: nurses in scrubs, Broadway performers and aspiring artists stood by families with small children, and people speaking Greek, Arabic, Italian and Spanish. In Upper Manhattan Tuesday morning, a gathering of mostly white demonstrators assembled at 145th Street and Broadway. The group had collected water and face masks and planned to distribute them to other protesters. About 40 people surrounded one of the rally’s organizers, who is white, and announced they would head downtown to Foley Square to join another rally taking place there.
Spencer Camilien, 34, a musician and recording artist who lives in the neighborhood and is black, said he had begun the week in despair. Then, a black resident stepped into the middle of the circle and interrupted.
“I wake up every day scared, anxious, crying,” he said. “It was very difficult for me to get out of bed. I kind of lost all hope.” “No disrespect, but you’re all speaking on my behalf and not offering any solution to fix the issue that y’all are trying to march for,” the man said. “What’s the point of coming here if we’re not having a conversation about how we’re going to fix this?”
He added: “Every morning I wake up, I’m scared to get outside, I don’t know what to wear, I don’t want to look threatening to anyone. Should I not wear my mask all the way up so they can’t see my face?” The crowd applauded, then headed toward a nearby subway station.
“You shouldn’t have to do that,” a voice shouted from the crowd. At Foley Square, a large crowd of mostly young Black, Latino, and white people hoisted signs showing the names of black people killed by police officers. A sign asked, “Is America Great Yet?” At one point, there were chants of “Resign! Bill de Blasio!” Later, the crowd echoed one speaker’s words when he insisted that they march “Peacefully. Peacefully. Peacefully.”
“When I get anxious I pray, and I prayed for you guys,” Mr. Camilien said, explaining that he never expected to see so many Latino and white people at the protest. “You are the answer to my prayers. You give me hope. You don’t have to be here.”
“We definitely have to be here!” several people shouted in response. “We do!”
President Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to taunt Gov. Cuomo and his brother, Chris Cuomo, the CNN host.President Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to taunt Gov. Cuomo and his brother, Chris Cuomo, the CNN host.
Calling Monday “a bad day for the Cuomo Brothers,” the president wrote on Twitter that “New York was lost to the looters, thugs, Radical Left, and all others forms of Lowlife & Scum.”Calling Monday “a bad day for the Cuomo Brothers,” the president wrote on Twitter that “New York was lost to the looters, thugs, Radical Left, and all others forms of Lowlife & Scum.”
“The Governor refuses to accept my offer of a dominating National Guard,” the president wrote. “NYC was ripped to pieces.”“The Governor refuses to accept my offer of a dominating National Guard,” the president wrote. “NYC was ripped to pieces.”
Several protests in recent days have taken place in front of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.Several protests in recent days have taken place in front of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.
Relations between the president and the governor have been intermittently cordial and combative over the past two months, as Mr. Cuomo has emerged as a national figure in fighting the coronavirus in New York State. The governor has met with the president at the White House, but the two have also criticized each other publicly.Relations between the president and the governor have been intermittently cordial and combative over the past two months, as Mr. Cuomo has emerged as a national figure in fighting the coronavirus in New York State. The governor has met with the president at the White House, but the two have also criticized each other publicly.
The president has also taunted Chris Cuomo in the past by calling him Fredo, a reference to the hapless Corleone brother in “The Godfather.”The president has also taunted Chris Cuomo in the past by calling him Fredo, a reference to the hapless Corleone brother in “The Godfather.”
He ended his message on Twitter on Monday with: “Likewise, Fredo’s ratings are down 50%!”He ended his message on Twitter on Monday with: “Likewise, Fredo’s ratings are down 50%!”
The times and locations of other planned demonstrations included:The times and locations of other planned demonstrations included:
11:30 — Protest at 145th Street & Broadway11:30 — Protest at 145th Street & Broadway
1:00 — Manhattan: Rally at Foley Square1:00 — Manhattan: Rally at Foley Square
1:00 — Queens: Protest starting at Fort Totten1:00 — Queens: Protest starting at Fort Totten
5:00 — Manhattan: Rally at Stonewall Inn5:00 — Manhattan: Rally at Stonewall Inn
6:00 — Brooklyn: Protest at 98 5th Avenue6:00 — Brooklyn: Protest at 98 5th Avenue
6:00 — Queens: Protest at Mott Avenue train station6:00 — Queens: Protest at Mott Avenue train station
As the protests began to take shape earlier in the day Monday, participants and observers alike said they had never witnessed expressions of grief and anger of such magnitude. At the protests on Monday, participants and observers alike said they had never witnessed expressions of grief and anger of such magnitude.
“People are not going to go home until they get what they want,” said Mike Tucker, a 54-year old Bronx resident whose 21-year-old son, Stephonne Crawford, was fatally shot by the police in 2005 in Brooklyn.“People are not going to go home until they get what they want,” said Mike Tucker, a 54-year old Bronx resident whose 21-year-old son, Stephonne Crawford, was fatally shot by the police in 2005 in Brooklyn.
But Mr. Tucker, who spoke as he watched protesters gather on the steps of Restoration Plaza in Bedford-Stuyvesant, also denounced the violence and looting that had punctuated the protests in New York.But Mr. Tucker, who spoke as he watched protesters gather on the steps of Restoration Plaza in Bedford-Stuyvesant, also denounced the violence and looting that had punctuated the protests in New York.
“We don’t want it to escalate,” he said. “We don’t want people coming out here tearing up, burning up.”“We don’t want it to escalate,” he said. “We don’t want people coming out here tearing up, burning up.”
Although the protests on Monday were again mostly orderly, they were flecked with moments of tension and confrontation.Although the protests on Monday were again mostly orderly, they were flecked with moments of tension and confrontation.
At one standoff near Washington Square Park in Manhattan, Terence A. Monahan, the Police Department’s chief of department and the city’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, grabbed a microphone to defuse the conflict. Hundreds of officers cordoned off a large group of protesters in front of Radio City Music Hall. And at least 1,000 demonstrators walked onto the F.D.R. Drive in Lower Manhattan, blocking traffic on both sides of the highway near the Brooklyn Bridge.At one standoff near Washington Square Park in Manhattan, Terence A. Monahan, the Police Department’s chief of department and the city’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, grabbed a microphone to defuse the conflict. Hundreds of officers cordoned off a large group of protesters in front of Radio City Music Hall. And at least 1,000 demonstrators walked onto the F.D.R. Drive in Lower Manhattan, blocking traffic on both sides of the highway near the Brooklyn Bridge.
The scene involving Chief Monahan ended with him taking a knee and locking arms with protesters.The scene involving Chief Monahan ended with him taking a knee and locking arms with protesters.
A photo of the chief making the show of solidarity with those rallying against police brutality was reported and published by Gothamist. A separate video posted on Twitter by a CBS reporter captured his remarks before he made the symbolic gesture.A photo of the chief making the show of solidarity with those rallying against police brutality was reported and published by Gothamist. A separate video posted on Twitter by a CBS reporter captured his remarks before he made the symbolic gesture.
“This has got to end. We all know Minnesota was wrong,” Chief Monahan says in the video, addressing protesters about Mr. Floyd’s death. “There is not a police officer over here that thinks Minnesota was justified. We stand with you on that.”“This has got to end. We all know Minnesota was wrong,” Chief Monahan says in the video, addressing protesters about Mr. Floyd’s death. “There is not a police officer over here that thinks Minnesota was justified. We stand with you on that.”
“But, this is our city — our city!” he continued. “Do not let people who are not from this city have you come here and screw up your city! We cannot be fighting. We have to live here. This is our home.”“But, this is our city — our city!” he continued. “Do not let people who are not from this city have you come here and screw up your city! We cannot be fighting. We have to live here. This is our home.”
After delivering his message into an amplified microphone, Chief Monahan took the hands of two protesters, one on either side, and together they each dropped to one knee.After delivering his message into an amplified microphone, Chief Monahan took the hands of two protesters, one on either side, and together they each dropped to one knee.
The driver of an S.U.V. barreled through a line of law enforcement officers at a protest late Monday in Buffalo, injuring two of them in a confrontation that was caught on video, the authorities said.The driver of an S.U.V. barreled through a line of law enforcement officers at a protest late Monday in Buffalo, injuring two of them in a confrontation that was caught on video, the authorities said.
The injured included a Buffalo police officer and a New York State trooper, according to Captain Jeff Rinaldo, a Buffalo Police Department spokesman. Both were in stable condition.The injured included a Buffalo police officer and a New York State trooper, according to Captain Jeff Rinaldo, a Buffalo Police Department spokesman. Both were in stable condition.
The driver and the passengers in the S.U.V. were taken into custody, the Erie County executive, Mark Poloncarz, wrote on Twitter.The driver and the passengers in the S.U.V. were taken into custody, the Erie County executive, Mark Poloncarz, wrote on Twitter.
The episode took place around 9:45 p.m., as the officers, wearing riot gear, were responding to protests related to the death of Mr. Floyd, the authorities said. It was not immediately clear whether the people in the S.U.V. were part of the protest.The episode took place around 9:45 p.m., as the officers, wearing riot gear, were responding to protests related to the death of Mr. Floyd, the authorities said. It was not immediately clear whether the people in the S.U.V. were part of the protest.
On Sunday, the driver of a tanker truck sped through a group of protesters on an interstate in Minneapolis. There were no serious injuries and the driver was arrested.On Sunday, the driver of a tanker truck sped through a group of protesters on an interstate in Minneapolis. There were no serious injuries and the driver was arrested.
Reporting was contributed by Anne Barnard, Emily Jo Corona, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Emma Goldberg, Melissa Guerrero, Corey Kilgannon, Colin Moynihan, Nicole Hong, Jeffery C. Mays, Andy Newman, Derek M. Norman, Azi Paybarah, Jan Ransom, Dana Rubinstein, Nate Schweber, Matthew Sedacca, Ashley Southall, Liam Stack, Matt Stevens, Nikita Stewart, Alex Traub, Neil Vigdor, Ali Watkins and Michael Wilson.Reporting was contributed by Anne Barnard, Emily Jo Corona, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Emma Goldberg, Melissa Guerrero, Corey Kilgannon, Colin Moynihan, Nicole Hong, Jeffery C. Mays, Andy Newman, Derek M. Norman, Azi Paybarah, Jan Ransom, Dana Rubinstein, Nate Schweber, Matthew Sedacca, Ashley Southall, Liam Stack, Matt Stevens, Nikita Stewart, Alex Traub, Neil Vigdor, Ali Watkins and Michael Wilson.