Haitian American Legislator Slams N.Y. Cops for Treatment of Black Man

NEW YORK– A Haitian American legislator has strongly condemned what she describes as the “egregious and inhumane” treatment meted out to a 33-year-old black man during a New York Police Department (NYPD) enforcement of the social distancing mandate recently.

Brooklyn Council Member Farah N. Louis, who represents the predominantly Caribbean 45th Council District, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that one of the officers used “excessive force” against Donni Wright.

Louis said Wright had a taser pointed at him, was slapped, punched and dragged, before an officer kneeled on his hand. He was then handcuffed.

“While white New Yorkers gathered en masse …  in Hudson River Park could be issued a summons or even a mask, a black bystander near a deli was assaulted,” said Louis. “… This is a dangerous precedent ...”

Louis said she is calling on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea to hold the officers accountable.