George Floyd riots: How New York City protesters identify undercover cops in crowds

Protesters say they’ve found a way to identify undercover cops infiltrating riots — and they’re sharing it to help others evade arrest.

New York protesters have found a way to identify undercover cops infiltrating the city’s riots, and they’re sharing the distinguishing feature on social media to help others evade arrest.

The country’s mass protests were sparked following the death of African-American man George Floyd, who was killed by police while in custody.

Now, some New York City protesters claim they’ve spotted a distinguishing feature in alleged undercover police officers in a crowd.

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NYC friends, I noticed all the undercover cops are wearing white arm bands, probably to recognize each other. Be careful. pic.twitter.com/DjRYBemW3b

— Zack Bornstein (@ZackBornstein) May 30, 2020

Twitter user Zack Bornstein first noticed a considerable number of bulky-looking men in the New York crowds, all in groups and wearing white armbands.

“NYC friends, I noticed all the undercover cops are wearing white arm bands, probably to recognise each other. Be careful,” Mr Bornstein tweeted to his thousands of followers.

A suspected cop in a New York City protest.

This man is wearing the same armband.

This man is wearing an armband as well as a body cam and a protective vest.

Mr Bornstein’s message has since been liked over 100,000 times.

Others also joined the chorus, taking their own photos of men in groups all wearing the same coloured armband.

When people examined the photos more closely, they were also able to spot body cameras attached to the men.

Also...body cameras pic.twitter.com/Br1AZSKAYf

— Tao of Who (@SemiramisRising) May 30, 2020

People were quick to point out that the colour coding system has been used for years by police officers, and to be wary of when the white armband inevitably changes to something else.

“Big FYI: For years, NYPD have had undercover cops deployed based on a colour of the day model. Today it’s white, tomorrow could be green. Not always an armband,” one man said.

Sounds like the color changes, so today the arm band is white, but tomorrow it could be red with angular black lines pic.twitter.com/16Khj43hol

— Zack Bornstein (@ZackBornstein) May 30, 2020

Some protesters have shown their disregard for US police officers in other ways, by burning down their cars and taking selfies.

Anok Yai protesting in New York vía ig stories pic.twitter.com/pHpcpwCDhu

— mich (@michiquitabi) May 30, 2020

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