Maskless NYC cops push man out of subway station 'after he told them to wear one'
(Picture: Photo courtesy of @toriahall/TikTok)A recent video went viral on Twitter showing two New York Police Department officers pushing a man out of a New York City subway station, causing fury on social media.
In the video, recorded by an onlooker, Andy Gilbert is pushed by cops after he reportedly asked them where their masks were.
The male cop pushes Gilbert away from the subway platform at 8th Street station with the aid of his female police partner. The female officer helped to push the emergency gate open, as shown in the video.
#NYC #NYPD harassing this subway rider for having the nerve to ask them to put on masks! #notabovethelaw@NYCMayor pic.twitter.com/iEK8qKh0MF
— ekki spyrja mig að því (@toriahall) October 19, 2021
“I kept asking why aren’t you wearing a mask. Eventually, he said I was being disruptive,” Gilbert told The New York Post.
“He said, ‘If you’re not going to ride the train, you can get out’.”
Gilbert claimed that he spoke with the cops for a couple of minutes before they pushed him out. “Sorry, I can’t hear through your mask,” said the male officer, who initially claimed he couldn’t follow what Gilbert was saying.
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Face masks are required on all public transit, by law.
Violations can result in a fine of up to $50. After the officer grabbed Gilbert to shove him out, the woman who videotaped the disturbance stated she witnessed the cops refuse to listen to Gilbert and started filming the situation on her phone.
People on Twitter were outraged to see people who have taken on the job to protect others from harm could be negligent. Check out those responses below.
What happened to protect and serve? This is neither. The public safety danger in that subway were the police officers. Shame! #Masks https://t.co/bT0Ofdw34W
— Maya Wiley (@mayawiley) October 20, 2021
Mask requirement on public transit is federal law by CDC order since January (except while outdoors at transportation hubs). These officers are breaking the law and assaulting citizens who politely ask them about it and should be reprimanded. @NYCTSubway @NYPDnews @NY1 https://t.co/La2YE4TJIL
— Jamesetta Williams 💕 (@jalexa1218) October 20, 2021
Not only does violate NYPD regs, not only does this violate MTA rules, but this looks a whole lot like assault. https://t.co/USeFvwcmcJ
— 🎃Pumpkin Spy-ce Latte👻 (@FoxCahn) October 20, 2021
This is really messed up🤦🏻♀️ https://t.co/lj3ua7U5Zg
— My Cinema Adventure (@e_02young) October 20, 2021
These cops were in the wrong and are a danger to the public in regards Covid 19 - They should be fired. https://t.co/91FPO4NZvI
— Rosanna.Jackson.Wright_ART (@RosannaWright) October 20, 2021
This is disturbing. The police should be wearing masks. Period. And for them to be that upset to use force is so wrong. No wonder this world has issues wearing masks. https://t.co/fnaPz8Ftsr
— Maggie M (@MaggieM00021130) October 20, 2021
This is another unacceptable abuse of power by the NYPD. And the refusal of many officers to do the bare minimum to protect our neighbors from #COVID19 & wear a mask in subways is not okay either.
— Shahana Hanif for City Council 🦾 (@ShahanaFromBK) October 20, 2021
NYPD officers cannot continue being above the law. #DefundNYPD https://t.co/762ifKSd3q
At a recent press conference pertaining to the incident, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said that it was “absolutely inexcusable.”
“I’ve been the first to defend officers. I think many of you know that. I’m also the first to call out wrong when it’s wrong. Absolutely inexcusable,” he said.
“There’s no excuse for what I saw in that video; we’re better than that,” he continued.
Commissioner Shea further noted that no one would be fired or suspended over the incident, but he isn’t “attempting” to downplay the situation.
The NYPD’s Covid-19 vaccination rate is 69 per cent, which is lower than the city average.
The department protocols mandate mask usage for cops on the job. But if they don’t wear one, they will be disciplined.
