Protesters in Canarsie demand firing of police officers at center of alleged rough arrest

Brooklyn residents took to the streets of Canarsie Saturday to speak out against a viral video that appears to show officers of the 69th Precinct making a rough arrest.

News 12 Staff

Mar 8, 2020, 12:05 AM

Updated 1,510 days ago

Share:

Brooklyn residents took to the streets of Canarsie Saturday to speak out against a viral video that appears to show officers of the 69th Precinct making a rough arrest.
Protesters marched for justice after the viral video appears to show 20-year-old Fitzroy Gayle being surrounded by NYPD officers, and being pushed to the ground as he screams out.
"We just need this to stop. It's hurting communities and it's hurting people," cried Gayle's sister, Tena Reid.
"He asked them ‘why are you detaining me?’ The officer could not answer that question. He wasn't using profanity," said community advocate Kevin McCall.
Police said they came across Gayle and another man smoking marijuana around 7 p.m. Wednesday at the 100 Percent playground on Glenwood Road, before the two men ran away.
Police said they caught one man and issued him a summons. Gayle was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, unlawful obstruction of governmental, and unlawful possession of marijuana.
Protesters marched from the park where the incident allegedly happened to the 69th Precinct. The demonstrators called for the officers involved to be fired and Gayle’s charges to be dropped.
They said they're going to continue shedding light on this incident until justice is served.
Meanwhile, police said the incident is currently under internal review.


More from News 12