Press Conference to be Held Today Regarding NYPD Arrest of LGBT Residents in Bed-Stuy

The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) will hold a Press Conference on Tuesday, June 11, 2:00 pm, at 1 Police Plaza, in response to what the group is calling a bias-motivated assault by NYPD officers against three gay men from Bed-Stuy.

The three men-- Josh Williams, Ben Collins and Antonio Maenza -- report they were  walking past the 79th Precinct, located on Thompkins and Greene Avenue in Bed-Stuy, when an NYPD officer accused one of the men of public urination, attacked him and then threw him against a police car.

According to the accompanying witnesses, the officer was then joined by other officers who also attacked the man, causing the victim injuries that required hospitalization. [See video here].

The victim, along with the two other men were arrested.

WHAT: Press Conference on anti-LGBTQ police violence incident

WHEN: Tuesday, June 11, 2:00 pm  

WHERE: 1 Police Plaza, NY, NY

• Attending the press conference:
• A survivor of the police violence incident on June 3rd
• Additional survivors of police violence
• Representatives from community-based organizations including AVP, the LGBT Justice Project of Make the Road NY, Streetwise and Safe, the Safe OUTside the System Collective of the Audre Lorde Project, FIERCE, Communities United for Police Reform, Campaign to Stop the False Arrests, the Brooklyn Community Pride Center,
• A representative from the LGBT Advisory Committee to NYPD Commissioner Kelly
• Elected officials including City Council Member Daniel Dromm