By David Cruz
Correspondent
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is one of several political leaders calling for a moratorium on protests in the wake of the killing this weekend of two New York City cops, capping a month of demonstrations from Ferguson to Newark and beyond.
“Put aside protests, put aside demonstrations until these funerals are past,” he said. “Let’s just focus on these families and what they have lost.”
The rhetoric has been heated and the violence disturbing. Gov. Chris Christie cautioned against inflaming the situation with more political rhetoric.
“There’s plenty of time for us to discuss it but I’m not going to be someone who’s going to participate in this at the moment,” he added. “I’d rather allow these police officers to be laid to rest.”
But who’s to say what’s an appropriate time for someone to exercise his rights to free expression? Larry Hamm of the People’s Organization for Progress, has led many demonstrations in the city of Newark, including some earlier this month.
“I think it is very unfortunate that the tragic deaths of these two officers are being used really in a political way and in a way that really does not honor their memories as officers who I understand tried to do right by their communities,” said Hamm.
Hamm, who has no demonstrations scheduled during the holiday break, said the street protests have been successful at raising awareness about police misconduct and uniting disparate communities. But Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, whose city has not seen any major demonstrations, says he thinks the protests have had minimal impact.
“I don’t think from the protesters’ standpoint there’s been a clear ask as far as what they want changed,” said the mayor. “Absent of that, it’s just people walking on the street saying things that necessarily could be inflammatory, so if you ask me what the impact has been, I would say tiny, if any.”
But Hamm disagrees. “Every time I see leaders of these protest movements being interviewed they’re asking for specific things,” he countered. “I think the hiring of more minority officers … would help. I think cultural sensitivity training … and more than sensitivity training, I think there needs to be more training in the use of non-lethal. No one is out here saying police should stop policing. What people are upset about are police who kill unarmed civilians.”
Jersey City Public Safety Director Jim Shea said all involved should take a minute to pause and reflect. “You see that the police never lose sight of the humanity of the people protesting, it seems to be the other way around,” he said. “I think it’s time for everyone to take a step back and reflect on their actions.”
Clearly, major differences remain. But, it seems that an unofficial halt to demonstrations will be observed, if not in deference to the families of the dead officers, then at least to the season, which is still about peace on earth and goodwill to all men.