"Two US Riot Police Officers Charged for Pushing 75-Year-Old Protester Causing Head Injury"
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Amid ongoing protests against racial discrimination across the United States, two police officers from the Buffalo, New York Mobile Response Team were indicted on the 6th (local time) for pushing and injuring a protester in his 70s. Officers from the same team have decided to refuse riot control duties as a form of protest.
According to CNN and other outlets, the Erie County Prosecutor's Office indicted Buffalo police Mobile Response Team officers Robert McCabe (32) and Aaron Toglaski (39) on charges of second-degree assault. At a press conference, the Erie County Prosecutor stated, "These officers pushed a non-threatening 75-year-old man with such force that his head hit the ground," adding, "They crossed the line."
On the night of the 4th around 8 p.m., in Buffalo, police engaged in riot control pushed 75-year-old protester Martin Gugino. Gugino fell to the ground, hitting the back of his head hard on the pavement during the fall. He suffered severe injuries with bleeding near his ear. This incident was captured in full on video by a local journalist and was widely publicized, sparking strong public criticism.
Currently, McCabe and Toglaski have been placed on unpaid suspension. The officers maintain their innocence. In response to reporters' questions about how the police should have acted, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said, "They should not have caused him to hit his head on the concrete," and added, "If the man had committed an illegal act, he should have been arrested."
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Immediately after the indictment, 57 officers from the same team declared their refusal to perform riot control duties as a form of protest. The police union stated, "The two officers were following orders," and said that fellow officers, angered by the disciplinary actions, announced their refusal to carry out riot control assignments.
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