A protester was pushed by police in Buffalo, New York, on June 4, 2020. - Mike Desmond / WBFO NPR / AFP

Since the death of George Floyd, the shocking images of interventions by the American police multiply. Two policemen from Buffalo, in northern New York State, were suspended on Friday for violently pushing a 75-year-old protester the day before. An investigation was opened by the Erie County Attorney.

At first, the police had assured in a statement that the protester had "tripped and fallen". But on Thursday, a video filmed by an NPR radio reporter showed a completely different version. The man, who was identified as Martin Gugino, a peace activist from the WNY Peace Center, approached a group of police officers, reportedly to return a helmet to them. Two officers then forcefully push him. The protester falls backwards, and the back of his head hits the road. While he remains motionless and is bleeding profusely, the group of about twenty police officers pass by him without calling for help.

New Tonight: Disturbing video from @WBFO in Buffalo, NY shows an elderly man walk up to police in riot gear. An officer shoves the man ... he falls backwards, hits his head ... starts bleeding immediately ... motionless.
Why did this happen @BPDAlerts?
pic.twitter.com/qbTvXAAPLH

- David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 5, 2020

"Scary," says governor

Faced with outrage over the reaction, the two police officers were suspended, and New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday called for their dismissal, saying their action was "frightening." According to a statement from his lawyer, Martin Gugino was still hospitalized Friday in a "serious" state but he was conscious.

What happened in Buffalo offends our sense of decency & humanity. It's frightening.

Let's focus on the facts. What we saw on that video is abuse and we must put a stop to this kind of abuse. Enough is enough.

In this moment change is possible. New York will be at the forefront.

- Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 5, 2020

Friday afternoon, the main county police union announced that the fifty officers had slammed the door of this intervention unit - but not the police - to protest against the suspension of their colleagues.

World

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  • United States
  • Police violence
  • George Floyd
  • World