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Actor Kumail Nanjiani Expertly Dismantles The Notion Of 'Bad Apple' Cops In Wake Of Buffalo Police Brutality Incident

Actor Kumail Nanjiani Expertly Dismantles The Notion Of 'Bad Apple' Cops In Wake Of Buffalo Police Brutality Incident
Jesse Grant/Getty Images

George Floyd was killed on May 25.

For nearly two weeks since that time, several cities across the U.S. have been home to large protests, all calling for greater accountability for police departments that have historically used violence against Black and brown people.

Although all four police officers involved in Floyd's killing were charged with either murder or aiding and abetting murder, the protests continue. Demonstrators say their anger does not stop with justice for George Floyd, but greater justice across the entire police system for people like Breonna Taylor and others who have been killed or unjustly treated by law enforcement.

And as images and videos capturing aggressive police responses to peaceful protests circulate around the internet, people have observed what they deem proof of those systemic and far-reaching problems within police departments across the country.

One graphic video showed a 75-year-old man pushed to the ground by police officers in Buffalo, NY.

Among the outraged voices was The Big Sick star Kumail Nanjiani.

For him, the vivid illustration offered clear evidence to oppose the "bad apple" theory, which claims that an incident results from the whims of one flawed individual, rather than the entire department.

Many commented on Nanjiani's tweet with their agreement.



One even cited another piece of evidence to show the systemic nature of the problem.

Others allowed their rage to push the apple metaphor even further.



Regarding the incident, the Buffalo Police Department initially put out the following statement, according to WBFO, Buffalo's NPR station.

"A 5th person was arrested during a skirmish with other protestors and also charged with disorderly conduct. During that skirmish involving protestors, one person was injured when he tripped & fell."

That statement was made about 20 minutes before the video was published on Twitter.

Once the video sparked widespread outrage, BPD changed their tune. Eventually, two officers involved in the incident were suspended without pay.

Butfor some, who also replied to Nanjiani's assessment, the systemic problem leaves them little hope for true accountability.

Two weeks of protests make it apparent that people are not about to forget anytime soon.