Newton Residents Protest Police Shooting, Others Counter Protest

NEWTON, MA — A day after a Newton man wielding a knife in a local candy shop was shot by police, protesters and counter-protesters sparred as police formed a physical barrier between the two sides outside the Newton Police Station.

More than 100 Newton residents and supporters rallied Wednesday to protest the fatal shooting of the man were met by counter-protesters, as cars honked and tensions rose.

The original protest was organized by Defund NPD, a group that has been pushing for the city to reallocate money from the Newton Police Department to schools, affordable housing other social services. Many people brought signs, like "A Taser is not de-escalation," and "Protect the mentally ill, don't kill us," and "It happens here."

But even before the protest began, counter-protesters lined the sidewalk with signs that read "We support NPD." Several yelling matches broke out between protesters on both sides. A handful of counter-protesters heckled the speakers and when the Defund NPD speaking program was over, a handful of those protesters heckled the counter-protesters and police, who had formed a line of bicycles between the two sides to keep them apart.

When one man with a cigarette in his mouth on the counter-protest side swatted at a young woman, a several Newton officers were quick to escort him away.

Nick Pasquarosa a commander of the Sons of the American Legion came out to support the police.

"We shouldn't overreact to an incident that by all accounts we did what we possibly could do to prevent from shooting him" Pasquarosa said. "I wasn't there, but that's what I'm hearing from [District Attorney] Marian Ryan."

Counter-protesters said the police were not to blame, while protesters said Naiomi Wolf said she didn't think it was right that someone who was having a mental health crisis could get shot.

No all the protesters were from Newton.

Eric and Tyler Benedict from a group in Watertown Citizens for Black Lives, said they wanted more communities to shift funding to support people who have mental health needs.

"Our hearts are broken as we mourn the loss of one of our neighbors," a Defund NPD organizer read Wednesday during the rally. "When shooting beanbag rounds from shotguns and using taser guns are considered 'de-escalation,' when someone who has retreated to their home is considered an imminent threat, and when the death of our neighbor is overshadowed by concern for the emotional damage to the officers who killed him, we know that Newton— like the rest of the country—needs radical change."

Read more: 2 Newton Officers Fatally Shot Man With Knife: Middlesex DA

"Many Newtonians are likely to feel less safe because of the actions of the Newton police — not more safe. We are less likely to call 911 for help should we or our loved ones experience a mental health emergency since they may be killed by police," organizers said at the rally.

On Tuesday, a man wielding a knife in Newton Highlands was shot by Newton police officers after attempts to subdue him were unsuccessful, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. Ryan said Tuesday night that police did call a mental health clinician with a request for police backup, but did not release details about what the man was doing or whether the clinician arrived.

"Our neighbor’s death is an example of how an overreliance on policing exacerbates harm," the group's organizers said. "With full funding for mental health care, we could have lessened the likelihood of this mental health crisis happening in the first place."

The group is advocating for greater access to trained professionals, instead of relying on armed police as first responders, they are asking for a swift, independent investigation into the officers' conduct, that police contracts be renegotiated to "enable accountability." The group also asks that the city establish a broader network of first responders with expertise on domestic violence, drug addiction and homelessness and mental health crises.

The shooting comes as a city task force is wrapping up efforts to rethink the police department and its funding following the May death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. The task force was created in July and has since met weekly.

Previously:

• Newton Group Asks City To Cut Police Budget By 10 Percent ...
• Defund NPD To Ask Mayor To Declare Racism A Public ...
• Newton Police Draw Gun On A Former Northeastern Athletic Director
• Mayor Names 12 People To Newton Police Reimagining Task Force

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.