Bob Collins
A deranged man’s assasination of two New York City police officers has derailed the nationwide protests against the killings of unarmed blacks, at least if you believe the New York Times.
It blames the refusal of some protests groups to “stand down” until the funerals of the officers were completed.
Before the ambush of the officers, New York’s “die in’’ groups had already been grappling with their future, working on ways to retain the energy and diversity of the younger protesters while exploiting the organizational assets of established civil rights groups.
Now, they face an even more pointed test.
Though some groups were willing to stand down, others balked. Along with a protest Sunday, led by Justice League NYC, a demonstration was held Tuesday along Fifth Avenue. Another protest is to take place in Brooklyn on Saturday.
Joo-Hyun Kang, executive director of Communities United for Police Reform, said halting the protests because of the funerals would be misguided.
“It is wrong to connect the isolated act of one man who killed NYPD officers to a nonviolent mass movement,” she said. “Silencing the countless voices of New Yorkers who are seeking justice, dignity, and respect for all is a mistake.”
