An investigation into a protest incident, which Governor Andrew Como described as “totally unjustified and utterly shameful,” is still ongoing. The man was seriously wounded.
A video clip of the demonstration on Thursday shows a row of officers walking toward the man and being pushed by two. His head bleeds on the sidewalk as officers walk in front of him, and some look at him.
Protesters in Niagara Square, like those across the country, were calling for racial justice after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis police custody.
Officers 57 resigned from the emergency unit, but not from the force. The Buffalo Mayor’s Office told CNN that the 57 members who have resigned from the unit constitute the entire active emergency response team.
There are a few members of the unit abroad currently and not included in the 57 who have resigned, according to the mayor’s office.
“57 people have resigned due to disgust because of the treatment of two of their members, who were simply following orders,” John Evans, head of the Buffalo Police Charity Association, told WGRZ on Friday. WKBW also reported news of the resignations.
The identity of the man, Martin Guggeneau, was confirmed by Cuomo’s office. Authorities said Gugino was hospitalized in a serious but stable condition.
A lawyer representing Gugino issued a statement saying that Gugino was “vigilant and prompt” and described him as a long-standing peaceful protester and human rights defender.
Kelly said in. They visited me: “Mr. Guggenu asks for privacy for himself and his family as he recovers.” “He appreciates all the good wishes he received and requests that any other protests remain peaceful.”
Megan Tovexis, daughter of Guggeno’s sister, told CNN that her uncle attended the protest on Thursday to discuss the rights of the first amendment with the police.
The protests continued in the city until Friday evening.
The mayor of buffalo says that officers must receive due process
Mayor Byron Brown said he wanted the two arrested officers to be subject to due process. “I am not calling for their expulsion.”
Speaking of the wounded, the mayor said, “He was asked to leave several times last night.”
The mayor said that the police felt it was important to clear the area before the outbreak of fighting between protesters. He stressed that police chiefs instructed officers to exercise caution, protect the population, and use common sense.
In response to questions about the emergency response team, Brown said the city has an emergency plan. “Buffalo will be safe at the end of this week,” he said. “We have an emergency plan and we always have an emergency plan.”
CNN contacted the police and the association for further comments. New York State Police say they will send additional officers to the city after the resignations.
Based on the initial video, the police released a statement saying Gugeno had stalled and fell, police spokesman Mike DeGeorge told CNN.
After more videos were available, the police modified this statement, and the Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood suspended the officers without pay and opened an investigation.
“The administration moved quickly” and “corrected” the information, DeGeorge said.
Brown described the incident as “disheartening” and said that his thoughts are with Gugino.
Erie County Prosecutor’s Office investigated the prosecutors.
Gugino He said he had a head wound, and was unable to make a statement to investigators Thursday evening.
Como said the officers should be fired and prosecutors must act “fairly but swiftly.”
“When I watched the video, I fell ill on my stomach,” Como said. “I would like to encourage the attorney general not to do what happened in Minneapolis, and the delay itself caused problems,” he said, adding, “People do not want to be vague. They are upset and want answers.”
He said earlier on Twitter, “This incident is absolutely unjustified and utterly shameful … Police officers must enforce the law – not offend -“.
Como said he spoke to Gugino.
“Fortunately, he is alive,” Como said on Friday at his daily press conference in Albany. “You see this video, and it disturbs your basic sense of fitness and humanity.”
Como also called for attacks on police officers, saying: “You have incidents in which the police were beaten with bricks in the head. Who are we?”
Correction: An earlier version of this story misread Megan Tovixis’ relationship with Martin Guggenu.
Steve Almasy and Laura Dolan contributed to this report to CNN.
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