September 27, 2007
Community Group Members Question Cops, Only to Get Arrested and Pepper-Sprayed
We received an email alert from the Sylvia Rivera Law Project about a clash between the SRLP and police officers last night in the East Village. Here is an excerpt of the SRLP's account:
On the night of Wednesday, September 26, officers from the 9th Precinct of the New York Police Department attacked without provocation members of the Sylvia Rivera Law Project and of its community. Two of our community members were violently arrested, and others were pepper sprayed in the face without warning or cause.The incident occurred on Bowery, outside the M&R Bar, between 3rd and 4th Streets. Related: The NYPD's arrest of Reverend Billy for "obnoxiously" reciting the First Amendment a few feet away from cops.The Sylvia Rivera Law Project is an organization that works on behalf of low-income people of color who are transgender, gender non-conforming, or intersex, providing free legal services and advocacy among many other initiatives. On Wednesday night, the Sylvia Rivera Law Project was celebrating its fifth anniversary with a celebration and fundraising event at a bar in the East Village.
A group of our community members, consisting largely of queer and transgender people of color, witnessed two officers attempting to detain a young Black man outside of the bar. Several of our community members asked the officers why they were making the arrest and using excessive force. Despite the fact that our community was on the sidewalk, gathered peacefully and not obstructing foot traffic, the NYPD chose to forcefully grab two people and arrested them. Without warning, an officer then sprayed pepper spray across the group in a wide arc, temporarily blinding many and causing vomiting and intense pain.
We called the NYPD for comment/their story, but we were told it was busy there and that we should call back later.
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There's a group for everything in this city.
This is what you hire for 25K a year.
"gender non-conforming, or intersex"
OK ... enough already with your silly identities. You either suck dick or you do not suck dick.
Don't mace me bro. Don't mace me.
like the old days of the east village where they rounded up everyone walking the street and slammed them against the walls, whether you're 6 feet tall male or a 5 feet tall woman.
"...an organization that works on behalf of low-income people of color who are transgender, gender non-conforming, or intersex....."
Gee, can we tribalize ourselves any more than that? So I have to be non-white, poor and a cocksucker or butch dyke in order for these people to help me out?
Hey, you're lucky the cops didn't steal your bike like they do on 6th Street.
What's the difference between an "e-mail alert" and and "e-mail?"
Also, how is it that people outside a bar smoking suddenly become community watchdogs? Did they know why the police were detaining him? Did they know for certain the detainee wasn't armed? What constitutes "excessive" force? Is it wrong to detain black people?
This is a complete non-story and should never have been published here, slow news day or not.
the nypd start them out young,
the st. j's cadet threw the guy against the all.
however, here's the karma kicker, he's only 21 years old and going bald. Bald as a cue ball.
oh, he wears glasses, too. can someone say, power trip?
matukonyc, what are you on about? The issue is not really the first arrest made, although its not too surprising they used excessive force. The issue is that questioning a police action is NOT against the law, let alone a mace-in-the-face offense. NY cops bitch and moan about lack of respect, and with incidents like this is it really a mystery? For the many good cops out there, start cleaning house and taking action against the bad cops and watch how quickly the citizens move to support you. Sit idly by while fellow officers go beyond the law or the brass at HQ ignore basic rights and you'll get the disrespect you have earned.
#8... agreed!
They were questioning the police why they were arresting someone and using excessive force?
Perhaps the police should have stopped what they were doing to have an impromptu Powerpoint presentation as to what section of the Penal Law was being violated?
This could have been a violet felon. If they had a concern, there is a way to make a complaint. Stopping an officer in the middle of effecting an arrest to request an explanation is not appropriate.
Google "CCRB"
STOP!
Please don't use this as an argument for paying cops MORE! That's absurd.
A higher paycheck and these people will start learning respect for the community? Ridiculous.
Make it a priority to respect the community, and it will happen.
I'm sick of hearing that we don't pay these useless bullies enough.
Since when did police bruatlity and the unwarranted Pepper spraying of a group of people standing on the sidewalk, "temporarily blinding many and causing vomiting and intense pain." become a non story?
Are you so jaded that you have no compassion left at all matukonyc?
You may have missed this part while you were working on your clever "email alert" vs "email" comment but they actually ARE a community watchdog group. Even if they weren't, is it now illegal to question a police officer? Is the NYPD now authorized to rome the streets unchecked beating whomever they please without fear of retribution or even questioning? Sounds more like the SS than an organization who claims to "Protect and Serve".
My guess is that you take issue with this groups actions in questioning the police because you would never have the courage to do so yourself.
Arraignment is today, head down to 100 Centre Street and show your support for these folks.
Call the press, get word out. Police Brutality is so not hot.
at least they didn't empty their guns on them...
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project is a terrific organization. They have done great work in the queer community over the past five years, and it's that attitude of "we will not let ourselves or our friends get hurt" that both makes them so great and led to last night's incident. How could they stand by and watch the cops beat someone up, when they stand for protecting people's rights?
I'm not a part of the organization, but I work for another law firm in the city, and I'm glad the Sylvia Rivera Law Project exists. Gothamist, please post updates on this.
ooooooooooo I just love it when some hunky cop ruffs me up...ooooooooooooo Please use your knight stick on me.....ooooooooooooooooooo
Proof once again that anyone on the list of certified PC victims can email Jen Chung a "the police beat us up for no reason at all" email and it will get posted ASAP. Grow up, Jen. College was a loooooong time ago.
a. transgender/gender non-conforming is not the same thing as gay. #3 and #6, you make yourself look stupid, though i'm sure you're not, right?
b. both of the arrestees have been released with the DA declining to prosecute. so much for your "violent felon" theory.
c. THE COPS MACED A LARGE CROWD STANDING OUTSIDE A BAR. being outraged about this is not a "PC" issue.
Look, like Dont Tase me bro found out, you cant fuck with the police. When you interfere with a police officer's action its called resisting arrest. Read the law. Once again, this isnt like breaking up a fight on the streets among strangers, the police are taking action and they dont give a fuck what you think about it, its going down, and if you fuck with them, so are you.
The moronic comments here about how citizens shouldn't question police actions are exactly why cops get away with macing and shooting innocent people. You people are fucking degenerates.
"You people are fucking degenerates."
Yes all "TRANSGENDER" sickos are.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Police Brutality Strikes Fifth Anniversary of Sylvia Rivera Law Project
Contacts:
Jack Aponte jack (AT) srlp (DOT) org
Naomi Clark naomi (AT) srlp (DOT) org
UPDATE: 8:30pm Thursday 9/27
Reggie and Ileana have just been released from police custody! The DA
declined prosecution, which means that no charges are being pressed. They
are free and clear, and are now getting the support they need from their
community - in person.
We are all thrilled by this result, the only truly just outcome after a
long night and day of injustice. Thank you to everyone who has helped out
and expressed support, including all of the allied organizations, fellow
activists, community members and councilpeople who stepped up to support
us.
Although they have thankfully been released, our work around this incident
is not finished. Now it is time to hold the police accountable for the
unnecessary force and community targeting that occurred last night, and
work so that no more incidents like this happen again to our community. We
will keep you all posted as to our next steps and ways to plug in.
UPDATE: 7:15pm Thursday 9/27
from the office of Rosie Mendez:
City Councilwoman Rosie Mendez asked me to inform you that she has spoken
the Manhattan DA regarding this matter. As of about 6:00 PM she was told
that the two arrested persons will be released shortly. The DA is
assessing the possibility of dropping the charges completely, but this is
not yet certain. Rosie herself wrote a letter to the DA asking for the
charges to be dropped.
She has also been in contact with the other three out LGBT downtown
elected officials - NYS Senator Duane, NYS Assemblymember Glick and NYC
Council Speaker Quinn. All have contacted the DA and expressed their
concern over the incident and their interest in seeing the arrested
persons released as quickly as possible.
But see, if the cops had been arresting a young white guy, that would have been okay.
Makes Saturday's street party even more relevent
PARADE WITHOUT A PERMIT
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH @ 7PM
WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK @ THE FOUNTAIN
Group bike rides like Critical Mass aren't the only targets of the NYPD's anti-assembly rules. The NYPD has a long history of attacking political groups, denying permit requests of groups—like the organizers of the 2007 Trans Day of Action—who they don't like. Now they say it's illegal for 50 or more people to gather and process through New York City—unless they request and are given prior permission from the police.
The Radical Homosexual Agenda is calling on Queers, Allies and Anyone who believes in free speech: Join us in the streets as we challenge these rules! We're going to assemble in City Council Speaker Christine Quinn's district to PARADE WITHOUT A PERMIT!
Why target Quinn? In 2006, affter multiple courts ruled the City's assembly rules unconstitutional and City Council was charged with fixing them, Speaker Quinn instead abdicated her responsibilities and allowed the NYPD to write these rules behind closed doors, giving them her rubber stamp in February 2007. Quinn has sold out the queer community and her own constituents, and we're not going to stand for it!
Bring drums, signs, bikes and your dancing bodies out to reclaim OUR streets! The Stonewall veterans never asked for a permit, and neither will we!
***(Pouring) Rain Date: Saturday, October 6th @ 7pm***
www.RadicalHomosexualAgenda.org
wewantyou@riseup.net