NYC Mayor: Violent Protests Orchestrated; NYPD Made Some Mistakes

NEW YORK, NY — As cities across the nation grapple with violent protests and looting following the police killing of George Floyd, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said a small group of protesters organized and deliberately tried to incite violence Saturday. The mayor praised NYPD officers for their "tremendous restraint," but made it clear that a video showing a police cruiser lurch into a group of protesters was unacceptable.

De Blasio on Sunday addressed the police brutality protests alongside Dermot Shea, the commissioner of the NYPD. Shea said 30 police officers suffered minor injuries during clashes with protesters Saturday and that more than 350 people were arrested.

De Blasio said police saw a very different kind of protest than usual — a small number of well-organized people belonging to an "anarchist movement" gathered online and set an agenda to incite violence, he said, even making "specific rules" for agitators. Some lived in the city and others did not.

Following de Blasio's remarks, President Donald Trump tweeted that the United States will designate ANTIFA — a group of anti-fascist protesters often associated with violent protests — a "Terrorist Organization."

At the same time, de Blasio said many police officers showed "tremendous restraint" in handling the demonstrations, even as he acknowledged — and rebuked — the actions of some police officers involved in a video that appears to show an NYPD van drive into a group of protesters in Brooklyn.

“NY’s Finest”. Disgusting. #BlackLivesMatter #riots2020 #JusticeForGeorgeFlyod pic.twitter.com/GP5vcXRlqy
— Marco (@chieffymac11) May 31, 2020

Wtf!!! #BlacklivesMaters #brooklynprotest pic.twitter.com/S1oet8JC0x
— Pierre Garapon (@pgarapon) May 31, 2020

The mayor announced a full investigation into the incident, which he said was created by a group of protesters who had surrounded a police vehicle. The investigation will be led by Corps Counsel Jim Johnson and Margaet Garnett, the Department of Investigations commissioner. The duo is expected to submit their findings and suggestions in a few weeks, and de Blasio said he will likely follow any disciplinary recommendation.

"There were many things done right by the NYPD," he said. "There were also mistakes that must be investigated."

Shea said he welcomes any outside look into how the police department handled its actions.

"Folks who come to incite violence, we will not accept that,"de Blasio said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday called it an "ugly night all across this nation" and state, and said more protests are expected Sunday night. He said the protests stem from chronic, endemic racism. Even so, he stressed that "violence never works."

"Burning down your own house never works and never makes sense," he said.

"It dishonors Mr. Floyd's death," Cuomo added, noting Floyd was never charged with a crime before his death at the hands of a Minnesota police officer.

Cuomo said he saw videos, including the police cruisers being driven into protesters, and called them both "disturbing" and "inexplicable." He has asked the state Attorney General to investigate the NYPD's actions and submit findings within 30 days. If that review looks at those videos and finds improper police conduct, there will be ramifications, Cuomo said.

"Don't pull any punches," he said. "Tell the truth."

In de Blasio's address, the mayor called for repealing and replacing Civil Rights Law 50-a and applauded Cuomo for saying he would sign such legislation. The law prevents personnel records of police, firefighters, correction officers and other officers from being released. De Blasio said the new rule should include a provision that protects the home addresses of officers.

De Blasio also called for ramping up efforts to identify unfit police officers and transfer those who in positions of leadership or "on the beat" who don’t fit the needs of the community.

"Not everyone fits every role," de Blasio said, noting he'll work with police in the weeks ahead to help that process.

De Blasio emphasized the NYPD has implemented major changes over the past decade, including ending stop-and-frisk, but acknowledged more must be done, including a culture change.