There is a national outcry after video surfaced of a police officer pushing a 75-year-old protestor to the ground Thursday night. It happened during a Black Lives Matter protest in Buffalo, New York. The man is seen peacefully approaching the officers, when one violently shoves him to the ground. Police initially said the man “tripped & fell,” but that is not what we are able to see with our own eyes. We have to warn you the video is disturbing.
GRAPHIC: Buffalo police shove a peaceful elderly man to the ground, he hits his head, goes unconscious and starts bleeding out. The police do nothing to help.
These officers must be fired and charged. pic.twitter.com/PE6I3Cq3IO
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) June 5, 2020
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo weighed in late last night.
This incident is wholly unjustified and utterly disgraceful.
I've spoken with Buffalo @MayorByronBrown and we agree that the officers involved should be immediately suspended pending a formal investigation.
Police Officers must enforce — NOT ABUSE — the law. https://t.co/EYIbTlXnPt
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 5, 2020
Soon after that tweet, Buffalo police announced the two officers were suspended without pay, as the police department conducts an Internal Affairs probe. And here’s the statement from Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.
— Byron W. Brown (@MayorByronBrown) June 5, 2020
The man is said to be in serious, but stable condition this morning. Watch more from ABC Buffalo above.
