Police in Buffalo, New York have been caught in a graphic video pushing an elderly man to the ground as they attempted to enforce curfew in the city. The fall caused the man to hit his head and he can be seen in the video bleeding from his ear as officers leave him lying there. The video, captured by NPR station WBFO, immediately went viral after it was posted to Twitter on Thursday, June 4.
Just about an hour ago, police officers shove man in Niagara Square to the ground (WARNING: Graphic). Video from: @MikeDesmondWBFO pic.twitter.com/JBKQLvzfET
— WBFO (@WBFO) June 5, 2020
- The incident took place in Niagara Square. The video shows the elderly man walking towards a group of police in full riot gear. Several officers yell at the man to “Move!” before others begin shouting “Push him back!” Two officers then shove the man and one even uses his baton.
- You can actually hear the elderly man’s head hit the sidewalk. After being pushed by Buffalo police, the man stumbles backward for a few steps before falling onto the ground and hitting his head against the pavement. He stays there, motionless, and blood begins to pour from his ear.
- What’s worse, no one even tried to help him. While one officer can be seen kneeling next to the man, he’s quickly pulled up by another cop who gets him to keep moving. This lack of empathy and care is disgusting but not surprising. Of course, the man who kneels is the one who pushed him with his baton, so it was a bit too late for his concern anyway.
- Buffalo police originally claimed the elderly man tripped and fell on his own. An initial statement from the department omitted any mention of police involvement in the incident until the video emerged and proved otherwise.
- The 75-year-old man was taken to a local hospital where he currently remains. Using excessive force on anyone is inappropriate, but Buffalo police assaulting an elderly man? Come on. The man, who’s name has not been made public, is said to be in serious but stable condition according to Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown. He is said to have suffered “a laceration and a possible concussion.”
- Buffalo’s city police commissioner has apparently ordered an investigation. “I was deeply disturbed by the video, as was Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood,” Brown said. Yes, I’m sure this will really get sorted out.
- The two officers involved have been suspended without pay. This according to The Guardian, which fails to mention the obvious: that these officers should have been fired and should be prosecuted for assault. It’s time to end police brutality once and for all.
A BPD spokesperson released this update. Five people were arrested and another person was injured during a protest in Niagara Square tonight. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/UZoDsSRs4J
— Jeff Russo (@JeffRussoWKBW) June 5, 2020
This incident is wholly unjustified and utterly disgraceful.
I've spoken with Buffalo @MayorByronBrown and we agree that the officers involved should be immediately suspended pending a formal investigation.
Police Officers must enforce — NOT ABUSE — the law. https://t.co/EYIbTlXnPt
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 5, 2020
