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Friday, March 29, 2024

Cuomo 'sick' over police incident in Buffalo, defends curfews

Duration: 02:26s 0 shares 6 views

Cuomo 'sick' over police incident in Buffalo, defends curfews
Cuomo 'sick' over police incident in Buffalo, defends curfews

“I was sick to my stomach when I saw that video," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Friday, referring to a video which showed two Buffalo police officers shoving a 75-year-old man to the ground during a protest over the police killing of George Floyd.

At the same news conference, Cuomo dug in after critics urged an end to an 8pm to 5am curfew in New York City.

This report produced by Jillian Kitchener.

(CUOMO) “I was sick to my stomach when I saw that video." New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday weighed in on a video showing police in Buffalo shoving a 75-year-old man to the ground during protests over the police killing of George Floyd.

(CUOMO) "You see that video and it disturbs your basic sense of decency and humanity.

Why?

Why?

Why was that necessary?

Where was the threat?

An older gentleman, where was the threat?

And then you just walk by the person while you see blood coming from his head... It's just fundamentally offensive." The two Buffalo police officers were suspended without pay and are now under investigation for potential criminal liability.

That’s according to a spokeswoman for the region's district attorney.

Hundreds of arrests were made this week in New York City, where thousands of protesters demanded reforms and an end to police brutality… which at times saw looting overshadow the peaceful protests.

Cuomo on Friday defended having a citywide curfew in place: (CUOMO) “The curfews are designed to let the police be in a position where they can stop the looting.” Though some critics say the enforcement of the curfew has lead to unprovoked attacks by police against protesters.

(REPORTER) "The clashes that you just highlighted are in large part because of the enforcement of the curfew.

Do you think the curfew is serving its purpose at this point or should it be canceled.

It has been canceled in other cities.” (CUOMO) “I know you’re the Times but you don’t get to make up your own facts, right.

The curfew is a local decision... I support the mayor’s decisions... I think the looting and the rampant criminality was much worse.

The situation we were in in New York City, which spurred the curfew, was much worse.

And what we have seen over the past couple of days, is better in New York City.” Protests continue across the country - with Americans calling for public action against police brutality and racism against minorities.

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