By Dan Murphy
Over the past week, the people of the City of Yonkers have joined with the rest of the country in honoring the memory of George Floyd by participating in peaceful protests. Floyd was killed in Minneapolis last week by a police officer, and his murder was caught on video and now witnessed by all of us.
Protest marches in Yonkers were held on Sunday May 31 and Tuesday June 2, held along Yonkers Avenue and on South Broadway and in Getty Square. The protests were photographed and videotaped and showed no violence and no arrests or an overactive police presence.
These facts have been confirmed by members of the Yonkers Police Department and those marching and seeking change. City Councilwoman Shanae Williams has been an educational voice of reason during this time.
“I am tired of reading posts and messages from people about violent protesters who were rioting/looting in Yonkers. There were no violent protests in the City of Yonkers on Sunday or Tuesday at either protest. Both protests were to shed light on the fact that we live in a nation full of injustices and we want change! Both protests were in honor of #GeorgeFloyd and all the black and brown men and women who were murdered by the police,” said Williams on Facebook.
“I am proud of all those who came out to speak out against the system and demand change. I am proud of the Yonkers Police for working with the community and for listening to them. I look forward to voting in support of body cameras. Too many bad police officers have abused their powers and take innocent lives for no good reason! It’s because of these racist evil people that we tend to generalize and think all police officers are evil. I know that’s not true because I have friends in the police force that I trust and love and know are goodhearted people who want to keep us safe.”
What Councilwoman Williams was referring to were Facebook comments about minor incidents of looting and broken windows of businesses on McLean Avenue, and at the Cross County Shopping Center.
Councilman John Rubbo, who represents McLean Avenue, said, “Unfortunately, Westchester Jewelers and Merk Pharmacy were looted by criminals last night. These acts were not conducted by marchers. These stores were not hit by the protesters for justice. Please don’t confuse those who seek peace and do so peacefully and those who riot and loot. The peaceful protesters deserve respect. I’ll march and fight with the peaceful protestors in solidarity any day and I stand with law enforcement to battle criminal activity.”
Yonkers PBA President Keith Olson said, after one protest, “After watching you manage today’s protest for more than five hours, weaving in and out of streets and parks all across the city, facing incredible adversity in such a difficult time and in the midst of a pandemic, I am reminded how blessed I am to be able work along side you all. Another takeaway is that I saw so many people who were thanking the cops working the detail and telling us to stay safe. I hope you all noticed that too. Hundreds of protestors, probably 20 miles and 6 hours of protesting yet no property damage and no arrests.”
Prior to the protest, Olson said about the shooting of George Floyd,
“From what we’ve seen thus far and what we know right now, I find the incident disgusting and reprehensible. I can see no justification for what happened and I am dumbfounded that not one of the other officers didn’t step in and stop what was happening. I am embarrassed that someone in my profession so callously caused the death of someone in his custody and I fully expect the officers to be held accountable. I am sad because George Floyd should not have died. I am sad because the media will do everything they can to recklessly capitalize on this tragedy. But still, I remain hopeful.”
Mayor Mike Spano joined in one of the protest marches and said, “The emotions running deep throughout my body are similar to those of our entire city. The tragedy of George Floyd creates a heaviness in my heart and anger within — emotions that cannot be undone. What can be done is choosing how we respond. To truly create change, we must work toward achieving better understanding, educate ourselves, and vote — our country’s future depends on it. I’ve met with local Yonkers community and church leaders resulting in a fruitful conversation about the need to come together as one city, one community and one purpose to fight for justice and peace.
Assemblyman Nader Sayegh said, “This past Sunday, I stood in solidarity with approximately 1,000 members of our community who organized a peaceful demonstration in Yonkers mourning the death of George Floyd. Intolerance, hatred, and institutional racism have no place in our community or our nation. We must do our best to cultivate a diverse, inclusive community grounded in respect for each other’s humanity. I thank other community leaders and elected officials who demonstrated their commitment to our city’s residents by attending this unifying event.
“ In New York State presently; residents are prohibited from seeing pertinent information, including disciplinary records and the outcomes of administrative trials involving taxpayer-funded employees. If we are serious about beginning a constructive dialogue to heal the pain and distrust that exists in our marginalized communities, we must be transparent in coming together with open hearts and open minds. The actions of a few in law enforcement do not reflect the majority in the profession who display professionalism, equality, and compassion to the communities they serve,” said Sayegh.
Congressman Eliot Engel said, “George Floyd and his family deserve real justice—that’s what I believe. The African American community deserves real justice. None of us can bury our heads in the sand when it comes to inequality and brutality, especially in our justice system. We must face it. We need law enforcement that works for everyone equally and I’m committed to fighting for it. One officer has just been arrested for George Floyd’s death, but all of the officers responsible should be charged to the fullest extent of the law and held accountable for their actions. This brutality must end.”
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie issued a joint statement which read,” Tonight has been another night of heartbreak in the wake of the horrendous killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Protests have been unfolding across the country and here in New York. Let’s be clear – the reason for the protests themselves is warranted and too familiar.
“Tonight, two members of the Legislature, who stood in solidarity with the protesters in a peaceful manner and who were trying to help to calm the situation, were pepper sprayed and one was put in handcuffs. Our hope is the heartfelt demonstrations do not lead to more violence, injuries or worse. From what we have witnessed, there must be better coordinated efforts to help de-escalate tensions and allow for our citizens to protest injustices.”
The two legislators that Maj. Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie spoke of were, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, a Democrat from Brooklyn, who was handcuffed, and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, a Democrat also from Brooklyn, who was hit by pepper spray, during a protest in Brooklyn.
County Executive George Latimer said, “George Floyd was murdered, plain and simple. He had no weapon, he was not resisting arrest. Derek Chauvin murdered him. Callous, arrogant tough guy. What would we be hearing from the White House today if Floyd wore a badge and Chauvin did not? Chauvin dishonored that badge and the police who watched and did nothing shamed the many good men who wear the police officers’ uniform.
“We owe more than an apology to George Floyd and his family. We owe him justice, by bringing his murderer to justice. And we owe his memory a commitment … to end this horror of violence from happening again. We renew our commitment to get this right, right here, right now. No more deaths,” said Latimer.
Yonkers Police Commissioner John Mueller, interviewed on YonkersVoice.com, said “I was shocked, disgusted, and horrified,” by the video. These incidents are painful because they set up back years on the relationships that we have built in the community. You can’t understand someone by interacting with them just after an incident like this. It takes years of building relationships and we have to make sure that we have the credibility and the communities trust.”
