On Monday, a group of Million Man March protesters gathered in Downtown Manhattan’s City Hall Park to demand Bill Bratton’s resignation.
Protesters called for an end to Bratton’s controversial “Broken Windows Policy,” which aggressively polices low-level violations and disproportionately affects people of color in New York City.
They also demanded legislators re-purpose the NYPD’s $5.5 billion budget for minority communities. Organizers say they will continue to occupy the park until their demands are met. However, Bratton has repeatedly vowed to continue the policy, one that Mayor Bill de Blasio openly supports.
“We’re human beings. Bill Bratton is a racist and a bigot who’s done so much to harm the black and brown community,” Cleo Jeffreys, an organizer for the Million Man March told The Gothamist.
In late July, Bratton announced that he will step down from his position as commissioner at the end of de Blasio’s term.
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Protesters announced plans to occupy the park after a radio interview last month in which Bratton criticized the Black Lives Matter movement, saying they unfairly target police. The demonstration coincides with the two-year anniversary of Michael Brown’s shooting death. A similar protest is also being staged in Los Angeles, calling for the resignation of LAPD police chief Charlie Beck.
The protest continues into day two, violating the park’s policy to clear out by midnight. Organizers are documenting the occupation on Twitter using the hashtag #shutdowncityhallnyc.
SOURCE: The Gothamist | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty, Twitter
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BLM Protesters Gather In NYC To Demand Police Commissioner Bill Bratton’s Resignation was originally published on newsone.com
