Thread by @ScottHech

Thread: As Eric Adams promises to flood NYC w/ even more cops, know this: The NYPD *orchestrated an attack* on 100s of protestors in June 2020 in the Bronx. Used the curfew to trap, assault & arrest. Mass human rights atrocity. NYPD called it “restraint.”hrw.org/news/2020/09/3…

Human Rights Watch (@hrw) conducted an investigation. Based on videos, mapping tech, hundreds of interviews. Found NYPD planned a coordinated assault. Trapped them 10 minutes before curfew to justify attacking them for being out past curfew. All on film.

"About 10 minutes before curfew scores of NYPD surrounded & trapped protesters–tactic called “kettling”–as they marched peacefully. W/o warning, they moved in, wielding batons, beating people from car tops, shoving, firing pepper spray into faces before arresting more than 250."

Human Rights Watch: “NYPD blocked people from leaving before the curfew & then used the curfew as an excuse to beat, abuse, and arrest people who were protesting peacefully. It was a planned operation with no justification that could cost New York taxpayers millions of dollars.”

A protester described how an officer punched him in the face while another twisted his finger & broke it. “Then another cop sprayed me in the face w/ mace. Then they dragged me on the ground & beat me w/ batons. Somewhere in the process of being cuffed, I had a knee on my neck.”

"Human Rights Watch documented at least 61 cases of protesters, legal observers, & bystanders who sustained injuries during the crackdown, including lacerations, broken nose, lost tooth, sprained shoulder, broken finger, black eyes, & potential nerve damage from tight zip ties."

THIS: At least 13 legal observers--clearly identifiable--were also detained, in some cases violently, before being released. Video footage captures an official from the NYPD’s Legal Bureau instructing other officers: “Legal Observers can be arrested.… They are good to go!”

A coordinated effort from the highest levels: "The NYPD’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, Chief of Department Terence Monahan was present during the action, along w/ at least 24 other uniformed supervisory officers–chiefs, lieutenants, captains, or inspectors in white shirts."

Commissioner Shea praised the operation the next day: “We had a plan executed nearly flawlessly in the Bronx.” Described protest as attempt by “outside agitators” to “cause mayhem. "HRW found the protest organized by local activists peaceful until police responded with violence."

Human Rights Watch: "The police conduct during the Mott Haven protest amounts to serious violations of international human rights law, and it also appears to violate civil rights protections of the US Constitution and the police department’s Patrol Guide."

In the same month of the attack, taxpayers paid NYPD officers *$115 million* in overtime. To assault, maim, choke, beat, & terrorize protestors. This billboard ran in Times Square. Across from NYPD station. Need-to-talk.org

After @hrw released their report based on videos, mapping tech, interviews w/ hundreds who were trapped 10 minutes before curfew to justify attacking them for being out past curfew. Chief “I’m not going to apologize”—then this:

This was the NYPD’s response. Deny deny deny. Lie lie lie. But it’s all caught on video. Analyzed, including audio of supervising officers making the orders. Dozens of interviews with witnesses. And Shea even acknowledged the plan the following day.

https://twitter.com/jangelooff/status/1311417799332503552?s=21

Remember & never forget, Dermot Shea (@NYPDShea), head of NYPD, praised his force for their "restraint" in their brutal suppression of peaceful protests & slammed criticism, despite all the video, all witness statements, a Human Rights Watch investigation. nytimes.com/2020/12/18/nyr…

Colleagues-public defenders, civil rights attorney, experts of police misconduct-& I viewed hundreds of videos from early on in protests. We saw violent felonies. Civil rights violations. Patrol guide violations. We found that the NYPD is *unreformable.* nbcnews.com/think/opinion/…

NYT collected 64 videos of extreme violence committed by the NYPD in the first 2 weeks of the protests. In this same period, NYC taxpayers paid NYPD officers *$115 million* in overtime. To assault, maim, choke, beat, & terrorize protestors. We need to talk.nytimes.com/interactive/20…

NYC pays $11 billion for brutal, intentional police violence & hyper-policing of Black & brown people and communities. $1 billion in overtime alone. Meanwhile, NYPD has gall to blame “bail reform,” which is already working, but barely exists, for “crime.”bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-…

The NYPD is $11 billion of unreformable violence & waste. Eric Adams wants to invest even more in this.

https://twitter.com/nyccouncil38/status/1320060282174119941?s=21

We pay $11 billion/year for NYPD to inflict mass violence on us. Then turn around, fearmonger & lie to us that any alternative will only lead us to mass violence. We believe them. And keep paying them more. We are in a profoundly abusive relationship.

$11 billion a year to the NYPD to end joy. Eric Adams wants to invest even more in this.

https://twitter.com/jangelooff/status/1315027769303224322?s=21

The NYPD is a partner of ICE. New Yorkers are paying $11 billion dollars per year for them to help kidnap people.

https://twitter.com/whitney_hu/status/1318882733523947520?s=21

This is who NYC taxpayers pay $11 billion dollars per year to target, surveil, & control Black & Brown communities. MAGA.

https://twitter.com/quicktake/status/1294415822375530499?s=21

More outrageous, misuse of power. The $11 billion NYPD at work hurting people. Eric Adams wants even more of this.

https://twitter.com/markgortonnyc/status/1456721613521629187?s=21

A thread of what an “omnipresent” police force already looks like in NYC. Eric Adam’s wants even more of this:

https://twitter.com/scotthech/status/1479220110619713544

I’ll end here. NYC’s costly, wasteful & violent NYPD committed a mass human rights atrocity. And they’re being rewarded by new mayor Eric Adams. 24 witnesses to what happened there. "I recall hearing bones cracking, people screaming, & just blood." Listen:gothamist.com/news/24-minute…