On the first day of Black History Month, THIS happens?
Social media is OUTRAGED after a video went viral showing New York cops detaining and pepper-spraying a 9-year-old black girl. Rochester police are now under investigation for how they responded to a call about “family trouble.”
Officers were reportedly called when it was reported that the girl “posed a threat to herself and her mother.” The body camera footage shows the young girl begging to see her father. She pleaded with the police to be able to see her dad before she went anywhere. The cops just ignored her and proceeded to put her in the back of the police car.
Lovely Warren, the Mayor of Rochester, authorized an investigation of the unidentified officers involved saying:
“This is not something that any of us should want to justify,” Warren said, adding that she saw “her baby’s face” when she looked at the 9-year-old girl. Take a look at the chilling video:
Police Union president Mike Mazzeo defended his officer’s actions,
“I’m not saying there are not better ways to do things. But let’s be realistic about what we’re facing. … It’s not TV, it’s not Hollywood. We don’t have a simple (situation), where we can put out our hands and have somebody be instantly handcuffed and comply.”
“And she’s 9 years old, imagine if it was a grown individual” we don’t need to imagine because we already know. https://t.co/9HKZFKlqs9
— Ben Simmons (@Kingbap_) February 1, 2021
Social media was not having it, take a look at some of the reactions:
https://twitter.com/trothaar/status/1356244926535766018?s=21
I watched the video. She crying and screaming for her dad. Why were they not reassuring her that they’d find him? Why could this not have been done in a less harmful manner to her? She’s 9, this should not have happened.
— 💜Kat💜 (@KatarinaHoshii) February 1, 2021
Unbelievable man. She’s 9 and doesn’t deserve this. https://t.co/ZKhXIzXkSs
— DJ Meowtastic 🔜 Furality Umbra (@DJ_Meowtastic) February 1, 2021
You can't say "that's on the kid". She's 9. Adults are supposed to know better. She could've been wrapped in a blanket or somebody sufficiently trained could have talked to her & calmed her down. There are other options than handcuffing & pepper spraying her & saying it's on her.
— maru 🐥 (@OnigiriJiminie) February 1, 2021
This would happen at the top of black history month. “Serve and protect” my ass . She’s 9 years old tf. https://t.co/pvaDKfVLSq
— Jå 🌼 (@_conceded_) February 1, 2021
I'm abt to lose my mind. She's 9 in emotional distress. My dghtr has fought me having this level of an emotional breakdown at that age too & I didn't need to pepper spray or handcuff her to get her calmed down. This girl is in distress. As a mom & human being I'm heartbroken💔
— paige_a_j (@12_GrimmauldPl) February 1, 2021