NYPD Turn Backs to de Blasio at Slain Officer's Funeral
According to multiple sources, hundreds of NYPD officers turned their backs to Mayor Bill de Blasio on Saturday when he spoke at the funeral of Rafael Ramos, one of two policeman murdered by Brooklyn shooter Ismaaiyl Brinsley.
Officers turn backs to #nyc mayor Bill De Blasio during #rafaelramos funeral. More on @cnn pic.twitter.com/uoEIGzsreh
— Rosa Flores (@RosaFlores) December 27, 2014
The gesture echoed a moment last weekend when officers turned away from the mayor before a press conference addressing the shooting, as well as an aerial banner flown over New York City on Friday that read: "De Blasio, Our Backs Have Turned to You."
According to some on-scene estimates, the NYPD officers participating in the silent protest numbered in the thousands.
NOW: Showing defiance against #NYC Mayor #Deblasio, 1,000's of police turn their backs, face away from him. @NECN pic.twitter.com/x2FdEwapgg
— Justin Michaels (@JMichaelsNews) December 27, 2014
1000s of police officers on Myrtle Av turn their backs on Mayor de Blasio as spoke at #NYPD funeral of #RafaelRamos pic.twitter.com/TV39TBRgQ7
— Joe Jackson (@joejackson) December 27, 2014
Although calls 4peace and no debating policing rt now, scores of #nypd turn their backs to mayor speaking at funeral pic.twitter.com/MIuwtaoMuM
— Dean Meminger (@DeanMeminger) December 27, 2014
#Ramos NYPD turn their backs to mayor pic.twitter.com/oZGFdWngBJ
— Ilya Marritz (@ilyamarritz) December 27, 2014
Responding to the flown banner yesterday, de Blasio Deputy Press Secretary Wiley Norvell issued a statement saying, "This is a time to think about the families and honor our fallen officers. Dividing people won't help our city heal."
UPDATE: CNN has uploaded footage of police turning away from the screens showing Mayor de Blasio as he spoke.
