‘I Can Breathe’: Pro- and Anti-NYPD Rallies Clash Near City Hall
There were two big rallies outside City Hall in New York City today: one in support of the NYPD, and one protesting against it. And the two rallies ended up facing off, though the worst that happened was just some minor scuffles. No arrests have been reported.
Here are images from the scene, just to give you some idea how it played out:
City Hall protest #1: anti-NYPD pic.twitter.com/crEsUZY3Nw
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) December 19, 2014
City Hall protest #2: pro-NYPD pic.twitter.com/0en11zdruQ
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) December 19, 2014
Yes, that is an “I Can Breathe” shirt, a take on Eric Garner‘s last words that have struck many people as offensive, and no, he was not the only one to wear it:
There is a joy in causing black pain that ain't nothing but the devil. "I can breathe" is just vile. pic.twitter.com/MStSGu0Ilj
— deray mckesson (@deray) December 20, 2014
The losers wearing the "I Can Breathe" shirts are probably the same 5 people that show up to Pam Geller's rallies. pic.twitter.com/a4xi0KlSmp
— Imraan Siddiqi (@imraansiddiqi) December 20, 2014
Tonight there was a pro-NYPD rally held near City Hall. Many of the attendees wore shirts which appropriated Eric… pic.twitter.com/eTsb3TLYQH
— Alex Q. Arbuckle (@alexqarbuckle) December 20, 2014
The pro-NYPD rally was set up last week with the hashtag #ThankYouNYPD, intending to stand up for a police force they feel is being unfairly maligned. One of the attendees explained that they’re just “supporting law and order,” and he took this shot at the other protesters:
“You know what? We’re not going to block traffic. We’re going to follow the law. This is what happens when you have a government that runs amok and doesn’t represent the people.”
Meanwhile, the other rally was making calls to shut down the NYPD.
[h/t NY1]
[image via Jonathan Lemire]
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