05/06/2020
Many millions of people have watched a video showing two police officers push a 75 year old man over, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the pavement.
Blood was seen to be slowly flowing onto the pavement from his head.
The police officers who pushed him, just walked away.
And so did many others. Some of them glanced down at him, bleeding on the floor, and they walked on past. One officer who appeared to start to stoop down to check on him was quickly grabbed to stop him from helping the injured man.
The protester was pushed to the ground by Buffalo police Thursday night in front of City Hall, in a video seen by more than 58 million people. His name is is Martin Gugino, 75 years old and a longtime peace activist.
In the video, he appeared to be trying to hand over a police riot officer's helmet; he certainly wasn't posing a threat to the large number of officers in front of him.
Mr Gugino was reportedly in serious but stable condition at Erie County Medical Center Thursday night, according to police. It has been suggested that he “was reported to be alert and oriented, suffering from a concussion and lacerations but expected to recover.”
I sincerely hope this is the case.
A friend of Martin Gugino, who had worked with him on Latin American issues through the Western New York Peace Center, said "He’s a gentle person who really believes that he must stand up for what he thinks is right."
Gugino has a YouTube channel that was said to have 35 subscribers. However, this incident has seen his number of subscribers skyrocket and, as I write this, his number of subscribers is nearing (sorry, now exceeded) 175,000. I'm guessing that, by the time you read this, it will have increased further.
This is yet another example of police officers betraying their responsibilities; of failing to 'protect and serve', and instead inflicting harm on those who they should be defending.
Disturbingly, over 50 Buffalo police officers, specially trained for civil unrest, resigned today (Friday) after the two officers who pushed Gugino to the ground were suspended. 57 members of the Buffalo Police Department's Emergency Response Team quit after the fallout from Thursday night's incident, which was caught on tape, according the Police Benevolent Association.
Union president John Evans confirmed that “Fifty-seven resigned in disgust because of the treatment of two of their members, who were simply executing orders.”
If that's true, the person who issued those orders should be facing multiple charges.
And the 57 officers who seemingly support a needless assault on a man who was 75 years old; well perhaps they should be seeking alternative employment.
If you wish to access the website where you can view the video, follow this link.
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