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Buffalo police riot squad quit to back officers who shoved man | Buffalo police riot squad quit to back officers who shoved man |
(32 minutes later) | |
An entire tactical unit of a US police department has quit after two officers accused of brutality were placed on unpaid leave, reports local media. | |
In a video that went viral on Thursday, officers in the city of Buffalo, New York, were seen shoving an elderly man to the ground. | In a video that went viral on Thursday, officers in the city of Buffalo, New York, were seen shoving an elderly man to the ground. |
The 75-year-old was seriously injured, and taken to hospital. | The 75-year-old was seriously injured, and taken to hospital. |
All 57 officers in the riot squad have now reportedly resigned in protest at their two colleagues' suspension. | |
According to the Buffalo News, the members have stepped down from the Emergency Response Team, but not the police department itself. | |
John Evans, president of the local police union, told the newspaper: "Our position is these officers were simply following orders from Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia to clear the square. | John Evans, president of the local police union, told the newspaper: "Our position is these officers were simply following orders from Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia to clear the square. |
"It doesn't specify clear the square of men, 50 and under or 15 to 40. They were simply doing their job. I don't know how much contact was made. He did slip in my estimation. He fell backwards." | "It doesn't specify clear the square of men, 50 and under or 15 to 40. They were simply doing their job. I don't know how much contact was made. He did slip in my estimation. He fell backwards." |
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Friday the two officers should be fired, and called for the incident to be investigated for "possible criminal charges". | |
In a statement, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said: "We can confirm that contingency plans are in place to maintain police services and ensure public safety within our community." | In a statement, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said: "We can confirm that contingency plans are in place to maintain police services and ensure public safety within our community." |
He added that Buffalo police are continuing to work with other law enforcement agencies. | He added that Buffalo police are continuing to work with other law enforcement agencies. |
The officers were enforcing a curfew as a result of protests that have spread nationwide since the death in Minneapolis last month of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, after a policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. | The officers were enforcing a curfew as a result of protests that have spread nationwide since the death in Minneapolis last month of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, after a policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. |
What does the Buffalo video show? | What does the Buffalo video show? |
The man is seen approaching a group of riot police as they advance. | |
Two of the officers appear to push the 75-year-old, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head. | Two of the officers appear to push the 75-year-old, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head. |
An initial statement from Buffalo Police Department said the man had "tripped" and fallen during a "skirmish involving protesters". | An initial statement from Buffalo Police Department said the man had "tripped" and fallen during a "skirmish involving protesters". |
Police spokesman Jeff Rinaldo later attributed the statement to officers not directly involved in the incident. | Police spokesman Jeff Rinaldo later attributed the statement to officers not directly involved in the incident. |
Who is the elderly man? | Who is the elderly man? |
His name is Martin Gugino, and authorities said he was taken to hospital, where he was in a stable but serious condition on Friday. | His name is Martin Gugino, and authorities said he was taken to hospital, where he was in a stable but serious condition on Friday. |
Mr Gugino is a longtime social justice activist in Buffalo, according to advocacy group Push (People United for Sustainable Housing). | Mr Gugino is a longtime social justice activist in Buffalo, according to advocacy group Push (People United for Sustainable Housing). |
He "has been a tireless fighter against injustice of all types for many years in our city both with Push and other grassroots organisations," they said in a statement, condemning police for his treatment. | He "has been a tireless fighter against injustice of all types for many years in our city both with Push and other grassroots organisations," they said in a statement, condemning police for his treatment. |