Communities United for Police Reform Slams Mayor de Blasio for His Recent Comments on NYPD Officer’s "Not a Big Deal" Text Responding to News of the Killing of Eric Garner that Surfaced This Week

New York, NY – Communities United for Police Reform (CPR), a leading voice for racial justice and police accountability in New York City, released the following statement today slamming Mayor de Blasio for his hypocrisy in relation to new text messages from an NYPD officer related to the killing of Eric Garner that surfaced this week.

“The level of hypocrisy coming from this Mayor is disgusting. If he were so outraged, he and the NYPD would not have obstructed discipline of officers every step of the way and lied to the public about the reasons for the delays; he would not have allowed the NYPD to obstruct the process to hold officer Pantaleo accountable for killing Eric Garner for close to five years, he would demand that his NYPD schedule the discipline trial of Sgt. Kizzy Adonis immediately, and he would demand that his NYPD charge other officers involved in misconduct related to Eric Garner's killing and the attempted cover-up," said Darian X, spokesperson for Communities United for Police Reform (CPR).

“If the Mayor truly believes that Lt. Bannon's "not a big deal" text message is unacceptable, he should require the NYPD to serve disciplinary charges against Bannon for official misconduct and fire him; publicly reveal who in the NYPD's management knew about these text messages prior to the trial and reveal what action was taken, if any to address the unacceptable text and attitudes that belittle the NYPD's killing of Black New Yorkers. Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD's track record of attempting to obstruct and delay justice for Eric Garner over the past five years is very telling,” said Darian X.

Background
Both Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD have obstructed discipline and accountability every step of the way, including the fact that NYPD didn't charge Pantaleo or any officers other than Sgt. Kizzy Adonis, when they could have done so years ago.  After CCRB substantiated charges against Pantaleo (after the NYPD failed to), the NYPD blocked those charges from being served for close to a year and hasn't moved forward charges on any other officers besides Pantaleo and Adonis. 

Gwen Carr, Eric Garner's mother, has issued the following demands: 

1) The NYPD fire Officer Pantaleo. 

2) The NYPD schedule the disciplinary trial for Sgt. Kizzy Adonis, the only other officer with any current pending disciplinary charges - and fire her.

3) The NYPD bring discipline charges against all of the officers who engaged in misconduct related to the killing of Eric Garner and the attempted cover-up, including those who leaked sealed information and lied on official records in an attempt to cover-up the killing. 

Related to Ms. Carr's demands, CPR is also demanding the following based on revelations at this week's Pantaleo trial proceedings:

• The Mayor must take steps to ensure immediate disciplinary charges against Lt Christopher Bannon

• Charge Police officers Craig Furlani and Mark Ramos for participating in the false arrest for Eric Garner (who witnesses testified had broken up a fight and was not selling untaxed cigarettes when officers approached him, contrary to the false narrative promoted by the NYPD), for failure to provide aid, and other misconduct - and fire them.

• Charge Sergeant Saminath for failure to report any other misconduct; and fire them swiftly.

• Release the names of other officers and begin disciplinary proceedings for those who engaged in other misconduct related to killing Eric Garner and the attempted cover-up, including the unnamed 1PP official who illegally leaked sealed records.

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About Communities United for Police Reform: Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment. CPR brings together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those unfairly targeted the most by the NYPD. CPR is fighting for reforms that will promote community safety while ensuring that the NYPD protects and serves all New Yorkers.

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