Entire Buffalo Emergency Response Team resigns in solidarity with cops who pushed old man

The entire Buffalo police force has resigned to support their suspended colleagues, who were caught pushing an elderly protester to the ground in disturbing video.

Two cops from Buffalo in New York state have been suspended after they were caught on video savagely pushing a 75-year-old protester to the ground, amid the George Floyd riots sweeping through the nation.

Now, the entire Buffalo police Emergency Response Team has resigned in solidarity with the two officers, who were suspended without pay.

The 75-year-old man who was captured in shocking video being pushed to the ground by police officers in Buffalo has been identified as Martin Gugino.

The video taken by a reporter from the local public radio station WBFO, showed Mr Gugino approaching a line of officers in riot gear.

One officer pushes him with a baton and a second one with his hand. The sound of a crack is heard and then blood trickles from his head.

“I was deeply disturbed by the video,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said in a statement. “After days of peaceful protests and several meetings between myself, police leadership and members of the community, tonight’s event is disheartening.”

Just about an hour ago, police officers shove man in Niagara Square to the ground (WARNING: Graphic). Video from: @MikeDesmondWBFO pic.twitter.com/JBKQLvzfET

— WBFO (@WBFO) June 5, 2020

A total of 57 officers resigned from the emergency team, the entirety of it, who refused to admit that their colleagues had done anything wrong.

“Fifty-seven resigned in disgust because of the treatment of two of their members, who were simply executing orders,” said John Evans, president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association.

The Emergency Response Team was a special squad of the Buffalo police department, created in 2016 and is deployed for mass protests or riots.

The officers who resigned are still employed, just no longer part of the Emergency Response Team, according to WIVB.

Re: that awful video. Buffalo PD officially said that the man tripped & fell. If we didn’t have video there would have been no accountability. Why? Because one “bad apple” pushed him down but 20 “good apples” would have let him get away with it. It’s systemic.

— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) June 5, 2020

The 75-year-old victim, Mr Gugino, is known as a longtime peace activist who has protested for causes including nuclear disarmament and action on climate change, according to Buffalo News.

A friend described him as a “gentle person” who would never clash with authorities.

“He would never resist physically any kind of orders … he’s a bit frail, not because of his age. He has some health problems,” Terrence Bisson told the newspaper.

"He is very focused. I'm sure he will get through this. It’s kind of tragic. He’s the last person you would want to push down. He’s the kind of person who you would want to speak up," he added.

I applaud that you & Gov Cuomo are taking actions. The officers must be held to the fullest extent firing AT LEAST + assault charges. None of the other officers intervened. they aren’t required to under Buffalo’s police policies. It’s 1 of the #8cantwait items. THIS is the result https://t.co/NFtEaTAAi4

— Kristine Mikulka (@krismikulka4) June 5, 2020

The incident drew widespread condemnation on social media as protesters returned to the streets of several US cities to demonstrate against police brutality.

The video shows the majority of the officers march past Mr Gugino after he falls, though the officer who pushed him with a baton starts to lean over him before he is motioned away by another officer.

Two medics came forward and helped Mr Gugino into an ambulance.

Police later said he was injured after tripping and falling. But after viewing the video, Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood ordered an investigation and suspended the two officers.

Mr Gugino is in stable but serious condition in hospital.

The callousness, of walking right by the older man in #Buffalo. How do you explain that to your kids?

— Lisa Pavlov (@🏡) (@JellyBearDemMom) June 5, 2020

This is just awful to watch! How can so many officers walk past and not help?! I guess it’s not just a few bad apples then! #Buffalo #triggerwarning https://t.co/qOFG02cZ5x

— Welsh Eye Doc (@RyanDav54400336) June 5, 2020

Following another video, park police in Maryland are looking for a man after the footage appeared to show him violently grab an object from a child who was posting signs protesting the death of George Floyd.

Police tweeted the assault occurred on Monday on the Capital Crescent Trail. In the 34-second video, the cyclist walks away from one woman whose right arm was extended towards the man.

The cyclist then turns toward what appears to be a young girl. The unidentified cyclist was then shown picking up his bicycle, running with it toward the person shooting the video and forcing that person to the ground.

– With AAP