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| ‘I Humbly Apologize’: Philadelphia Officials Announce Changes After Protest Response | ‘I Humbly Apologize’: Philadelphia Officials Announce Changes After Protest Response |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Officials in Philadelphia on Thursday announced a moratorium on the use of tear gas in the city and apologized for their response to a June 1 protest against police brutality. | Officials in Philadelphia on Thursday announced a moratorium on the use of tear gas in the city and apologized for their response to a June 1 protest against police brutality. |
| The announcement, by the mayor and the police commissioner, came hours after The New York Times published a visual investigation into the use of force by the police. During a confrontation with several hundred demonstrators who had entered Interstate 676 in the city center this month, SWAT officers used tear gas and pepper spray on a group of nonviolent protesters, some of whom were trapped as they tried to leave. | The announcement, by the mayor and the police commissioner, came hours after The New York Times published a visual investigation into the use of force by the police. During a confrontation with several hundred demonstrators who had entered Interstate 676 in the city center this month, SWAT officers used tear gas and pepper spray on a group of nonviolent protesters, some of whom were trapped as they tried to leave. |
| “I humbly apologize to those who were directly impacted as well as to our communities at large,” said Danielle Outlaw, the Philadelphia police commissioner. “I have viewed video posted by The New York Times by which I am extremely disturbed and, quite frankly, sickened beyond description.” | “I humbly apologize to those who were directly impacted as well as to our communities at large,” said Danielle Outlaw, the Philadelphia police commissioner. “I have viewed video posted by The New York Times by which I am extremely disturbed and, quite frankly, sickened beyond description.” |
| Citing the findings from the Times investigation in a news conference, the officials admitted that some of their earlier statements defending the use of force against protesters during the episode were incorrect. A SWAT officer was also expected to be given a 30-day suspension “with intent to dismiss,” the commissioner said. | |
| “Effective immediately, I’m declaring a categorical moratorium on the use of tear gas for the dispersal or control of crowds, which includes any persons who are peacefully assembling or passively resisting,” Commissioner Outlaw said. “We are also evaluating all other munitions available to SWAT personnel.” | “Effective immediately, I’m declaring a categorical moratorium on the use of tear gas for the dispersal or control of crowds, which includes any persons who are peacefully assembling or passively resisting,” Commissioner Outlaw said. “We are also evaluating all other munitions available to SWAT personnel.” |
| Dennis Wilson, the deputy commissioner of special operations, who was in charge of the deployment of tear gas during the protest, took a voluntary demotion. He said he knew that the rules of engagement called for him to contact Commissioner Outlaw before using tear gas but that he had not done so that day. | Dennis Wilson, the deputy commissioner of special operations, who was in charge of the deployment of tear gas during the protest, took a voluntary demotion. He said he knew that the rules of engagement called for him to contact Commissioner Outlaw before using tear gas but that he had not done so that day. |
| “I gave the approval,” he said, “and it was me and me alone.” | “I gave the approval,” he said, “and it was me and me alone.” |
| Mayor Jim Kenney said that the city had retained an independent consultant to examine its overall response to recent protests but that the Times investigation had put more urgency on the situation and made him rethink his previous statements about the response to the protest. | Mayor Jim Kenney said that the city had retained an independent consultant to examine its overall response to recent protests but that the Times investigation had put more urgency on the situation and made him rethink his previous statements about the response to the protest. |
| “In watching this Times report, it was clear to me that we cannot wait for the results of these probes to take action,” Mr. Kenney said. “And ever since seeing the video of the terrifying incident on I-676, I’ve regretted my decision from the day before. I also regret my statements that followed, which attempted to justify the use of tear gas in that particular situation.” | “In watching this Times report, it was clear to me that we cannot wait for the results of these probes to take action,” Mr. Kenney said. “And ever since seeing the video of the terrifying incident on I-676, I’ve regretted my decision from the day before. I also regret my statements that followed, which attempted to justify the use of tear gas in that particular situation.” |