CAIR-NY Condemns NYPD SRG, Mayor Adams for Violence Used Against Bay Ridge Protesters
Credit: Pexels/Matteo Modica
(NEW YORK, NY, 5/20/2024) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned both the NYPD Strategy Response Group (SRG) for the violence used against peaceful pro-Palestine protesters in Bay Ridge and Mayor Eric Adams for his reported approval of such tactics.
On Saturday, a protest marking the 76th year of the Nakba (Arabic word for “catastrophe”) in Palestine took place in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The annual protest has taken place in the same community for over 10 years without mass aggression. However, reports state that violence occurred when the SRG tried to push over 200 protesters onto the sidewalk near 5th Avenue and Ovington Avenue. Officers allegedly beat, punched, and used excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, resulting in the arrests of over 40 people on the basis of “unlawfully blocking roadways.”
SEE: Critics Fault ‘Aggressive' NYPD Response at Pro-Palestine Rally
SEE: New York police violently arrest pro-Palestine protesters marking Nakba
CAIR-NY's Executive Director, Afaf Nasher, stated:
“CAIR-NY has repeatedly highlighted the NYPD’s SRG tactics for its notoriously violent escalation at peaceful protests. Rather than protecting New Yorkers, they disrupt otherwise peaceful protests with violent arrests even under the simplest of pretexts. Spilling over onto the street does not give the police license to aggressively grab and throw people onto concrete, and at times enduring punches to their face and body. This kind of brutality only increases the rightful distrust and resentment many New Yorkers harbor toward police.
"The approving comments from Mayor Adams also play a huge part in the continuing aggression against pro-Palestine protesters. He should be ashamed of the aggression perpetrated against the city’s citizens, some being teenagers. Neither the mayor, nor his police force, are upholding the courtesy, protection and respect promised to New Yorkers. Instead, we repeatedly see danger, scorn and ruthless behavior aimed at repressing pro-Palestinian views.”
She notes that there has been a rise of aggression towards pro-Palestine protestors across New York State.
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns Columbia University, NYPD Actions against Peaceful Protesters
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT:
Afaf Nasher, Esq., Executive Director, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006;
Saira Amar, MPA, CAIR-NY, Communications Coordinator, SAmar@cair.com