Don't skip this clip. NYPD Chief Joseph Esposito intervenes between violent officers and peaceful OWS protesters during chaos in Times Square Saturday. This is a great story as told by Amy Goodman and Ryan Devereaux of Democracy Now, who were in the panicked crowd as police pushed their horses into the throng, who had nowhere to move.
You can see video of the skirmish HERE.
Text is from the youtube page:
Chief of the Department Joseph Esposito, the highest ranking uniformed member of the NYPD, pulled his officers back with one hand and pushed protesters away with the other. He signaled to the protesters for calm, then patted his cops on the chests and shoulders, some of whom were visibly upset that their Chief was telling them to back off.
It wasn't the first time. Two weeks ago during the large march on the Brooklyn Bridge, when a policeman tried to yank a mask from a protester's face, Esposito grabbed the cop by the back of the belt and pulled him back from the police skirmish line. He visibly scolded the policeman, and when a scuffle broke out, Esposito was in the center to end the tension. More than 700 marchers were arrested that day, but overall there was little violence.
Perhaps the protesters in Times Square remembered this. They started screaming, "Esposito! Esposito!" The chief gave an acknowledging smile and a little wave. Then a chant of, "Overworked and underpaid! We do this for you."
After another 20 minutes, Esposito returned to the barricade, where protesters yelled that their only demand was to cross the intersection. Esposito yelled "Mic check" - the signal the protesters shout when they want to speak— and smiled as the crowd erupted. When the cheering subsided, Esposito asked if they would cross the street peacefully should the barricades be opened. After receiving an affirmative cheer, the chief nodded at his captains.
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Video - NYPD Officer to be punished for violence against protesters.
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