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*Content Warning: the following includes video that may be disturbing to some viewers
The internet erupted in outrage on Thursday, June 4, after video of Buffalo, New York police officers shoving a 75-year-old man to the ground went viral. After the public outcry, Buffalo's mayor issued a statement in response.
The disturbing video shows an elderly man approach armored police as they march across Niagara Square in Buffalo. After speaking with them for a short moment, the 75-year-old is shoved backward to the concrete.
In the video, captured by a nearby journalist, the man's head can be heard cracking against the ground. Moments later, blood can be seen dripping from his ear as the officers, including the one that pushed him, walk past without stopping to help.
The widely shared clip is below.
Just about an hour ago, police officers shove man in Niagara Square to the ground (WARNING: Graphic). Video from: @MikeDesmondWBFOpic.twitter.com/JBKQLvzfET
— WBFO (@WBFO) June 5, 2020
This is so difficult to watch but I urge you to if you can.
An elderly man pushed over by Buffalo PD...he's bleeding.
An officer leans down and is told to move on by another officer.
Then the Buffalo PD tells the media that the man tripped...which is a clear lie
via @WBFOpic.twitter.com/pOfpCHOq3m
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) June 5, 2020
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown issued a statement on Twitter responding to the incident.
pic.twitter.com/ofZCzm78mq
— Byron W. Brown (@MayorByronBrown) June 5, 2020
This is the statement from the buffalo mayor. I ask everyone to say a prayer that this 75 year old man makes a full recovery. He is in stable but serious condition. I am digusted. Fire them all!!
Niagara square
Bleeding
He's 75
Buffalo
Officer torgalski pic.twitter.com/pscphA23TD
— 🌺Sassy Mama☀️ (@SassyWineMama) June 5, 2020
Several people online pointed out that Brown seemingly attempted to prioritize irrelevant information in his statement.
The physical altercation with protestors is irrelevant. The cops pushed that elderly man who did absolutely nothing. We heard his head crack! Every single cop who watched him lay there must be fired, they are not upholding the oath to protect and serve.
— Lexie Grüber ☮️ (@Lexie_Gruber) June 5, 2020
Hi I'm a psychologist, priming is a thing people do to get you to view what you're about to read in a certain lens. The pic here conveys 100% of the relevant info from the statement. The redacted sentence was used to prime us in favor of the police. Shame on you @MayorByronBrownpic.twitter.com/pGDpewuuie
— Alex Lamparelli (@alexlamparelli) June 5, 2020
In the original police report addressing the incident, the officers claimed "one person was injured when he tripped & fell."
It's likely these officers would have seen no consequences if not for a nearby reporter who was also approached by police after the incident.
Why is it so difficult for us to hold our cops accountable? Is it because it rocks the core of our beliefs that we're really safe? I'm not going to repost the Buffalo video because it's vile but it was SO easy for them to lie in the report. Cell phones have become detectives.
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) June 5, 2020
ELDERLY PROTESTER ASSAULT 🛑 CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY @NYGovCuomo (518)474-8390 @NewYorkStateAG@MayorByronBrown@BPDAlerts Erie County District Attorney: John J. Flynn: (716) 858-2400 Buffalo Police Commissioner: Byron Lockwood (716)851-4571 pic.twitter.com/ekt35wo5eH
— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) June 5, 2020
According to the Mayor's statement, the two officers involved have now been suspended without pay.
But many online are calling for more serious action.
Two Buffalo police officers are suspended for knocking down and seriously injuring a 75-year-old man for no reason. But meanwhile, five protesters at that site were arrested. The people who deserved arrest were those cops https://t.co/s1lRlROvVp
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) June 5, 2020
The reaction to the guy smashing his head in Buffalo is almost more shocking to me than the shove. The fact that nobody instinctively got down to see if he was ok twists my guts. There's this pause of hesitation and then they just carry on and someone is like "yeah get an EMT."
— neontaster (@neontaster) June 5, 2020
This video is one of many which portray police violence in response to peaceful protest which have emerged over the past week.
That video from the Buffalo incident's been viewed ~60m+ times on twitter alone, and it might not have been captured had a reporter for a Buffalo area public radio station not been present –– stressing the importance of local journalism. We really need to find ways to fund it.
— austerity is theft (@wideofthepost) June 5, 2020
Many Buffalo locals also decried what appeared to be a conflict of interest since the same person handles PR for both the mayor and the police.
THREAD:
While I have your attention:
The spokesperson for the Mayor of Buffalo is the same person as the spokesperson for the Buffalo Police Department. The free press has one single person to reach out to for all matters regarding the city and police investigations. (1/3)
— Ashley Rowe (@AshleyroweWKBW) June 5, 2020
We Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown explain there is one spokesperson for the City of Buffalo & police for financial efficiency.
But this issue draws a bigger question after it was initially reported to us as a "skirmish" and a "trip and fall."@WKBWpic.twitter.com/UAGVkPWbWb
— Ed Drantch (@EdDrantch) June 5, 2020
Emerging details about the injured man reveal he was a long time peace activist.
The Buffalo News reports that the 75-year-old man pushed to the ground is a longtime peace activist who has recently supported Kings Bay Plowshares, a group of anti-nuclear activists convicted of entering a nuclear submarine station in Georgia. https://t.co/vs2j6G4x3r
— Dan Zak (@MrDanZak) June 5, 2020
“Last year he wrote a letter to the editor criticizing Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown's reaction to a protest against the detainment of migrant children..'The First Amendment allows people to complain to the government, without fear of arrest..The mayor..should have come down& joined' https://t.co/bhziyKuRPL
— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) June 5, 2020
It's now been reported the elderly man is recovering in "serious but stable condition" at the Erie County Medical Center.
New update on the 75 year old man injured during last night's BPD incident: he is still in serious but stable condition at the Erie County Medical Center and, as was relayed to me by an ECMC official, he is "alert and oriented." That is better news. Let's hope he fully recovers.
— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) June 5, 2020
As someone who spends quite a bit of time in Buffalo this is mortifying. Wishing a speedy recovery to the gentleman and hoping Mayor @MayorByronBrown takes quick and decisive action to ensure this never happens again. https://t.co/kVHWGxGvG0
— Andrew W Gill (@AndrewWGill1) June 5, 2020
Hopefully, the 75-year-old will make a full recovery.