‘Unacceptable And Wrong’: AOC Condemns De Blasio’s Defence Of NYPD Driving Into Protesters

TOPLINE

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has blasted New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio’s comments as “unacceptable” and “wrong” after he appeared to defend the NYPD for ramming police cars into protesters on Saturday. 

KEY FACTS

Crucial quote

The congresswoman tweeted: “Running SUVs in crowds of people should never, ever be normalized. No matter who does it, no matter why.”

News peg

The video, tweeted by the New York Times’ Sam Dolnick on Saturday, shows a group of protesters in Brooklyn moving a barricade closer to a police SUV and standing behind it, before some protesters from further back start throwing traffic cones and other objects at the vehicle. Another SUV drives up behind the first vehicle and toward protesters, before both vehicles accelerate into the crowd. The video has been viewed more than 11 million times as of Sunday morning.

Key background

Protests in New York are among the demonstrations sparked across 75 U.S. cities in response to the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in police custody on Monday. On Saturday, De Blasio said an independent review into police reaction to the protests in the city would take place, after clips circulated of police cars on fire and police officers pepper spraying and striking demonstrators on Friday.

Protests across the U.S. continued into a sixth day on Sunday as states and cities, including Minneapolis where Floyd died on Monday, called in the National Guard. Some 25 cities have imposed curfews amid escalating clashes between police and protesters.

Further reading

George Floyd Protests Continue Across U.S. For Fifth Day: Joe Biden Condemns Violent Protests (Forbes)

Wave Of George Floyd Protests Continues Into Sixth Day (Forbes)

De Blasio calls out violence, Cuomo embraces reform of police law in wake of chaotic NYC protests (Politico)

Mayor Bill De Blasio Addresses Video Of NYPD Cruiser Driving Into Protesters: ‘I’m Not Gonna Blame Officers Who Are Trying To Deal With An Absolutely Impossible Situation’ (CBS New York)