Thread by @ColorOfChange

1/ Last Friday, @RochesterNYPD responded to a family disturbance call. Just a few minutes later, body camera footage reveals the Rochester Police officers terrorizing & pepper-spraying a 9-year-old child.

refinery29.com/en-us/2021/02/…

2/ This story comes less than a year after bodycam footage showed Rochester Police murdering Daniel Prude, a Black man suffering a mental health crisis. Instead of offering him the help he needed, 3 cops pushed Daniel’s face into the pavement and suffocated him.

3/ America's policing problem has always been a threat to public safety. Mental health professionals should respond to mental health calls. Professionals trained to handle domestic disputes should respond to family calls. Cops shouldn't arrest, restrain or assault children, ever.

4/ Both of these situations called for specialized care, not a violent use of force. Trying to use racist, violent police officers to solve every social issue is an obvious failed strategy and a huge danger to Black communities.

5/ Both of these situations are clear proof that police do not keep Black people safe. Empty gestures like more bodycams to capture brutality that is met with inaction, or officers protected by anonymity, internal investigations & paid leave, will continue to harm Black people.

6/ The violent police officers who handcuffed and pepper-sprayed a 9 y/o girl must be fired. Major reforms must be made. Black people need investments that actually keep us safe, like establishing a non-police, community-based public safety programs.

7/ We were here last year with Daniel Prude. And now, it is abundantly clear that the Rochester PD is still not the answer. Let’s start by demanding the violent cops are held publicly accountable & that Rochester invests in care, not cops:

act.colorofchange.org/sign/care_not_…