For Immediate Release: NLG-NYC Denounces NYPD Brutality, Unlawful Arrests

For Immediate Release: June 22, 2007



Contact: Daniel L. Meyers: 212-226-4106

President, NYC Chapter, National Lawyers Guild





The New York City Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG-NYC) is outraged over the unlawful arrests and brutalization of our colleagues -- attorneys Evelyn Warren and Michael Tarif Warren--at the hands of the New York City Police Department.



In the early evening of June 21, 2007, while traveling in their automobile, Evelyn and Michael Warren observed police officers, attached to the Crown Heights, Brooklyn 77th Precinct, excessively beating an unarmed young man. The Warrens did not ignore the patent violations of this person's civil rights. They insisted, as their right and duty, that the unconscionable beating of the defenseless youth

cease.



[T]he police response, as usual, was for them to mind their own business and get back in the car. They complied. Once inside, they began to document the incident, noting the squad car numbers of the officers involved. Incensed, the police beat and then dragged Evelyn and Michael out of the car, continuing to beat them repeatedly to the face and head. They were then arrested on the usual bogus charges of disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.



Because of a huge outpouring of support from the diverse communities of our city, they were given desk appearance tickets (DATs) and released around midnight. The NLG-NYC salutes the hundreds' of people representing multiple organizations who responded to the precinct and who refused to leave unless and until the Warrens were released from custody.



As Tarif Warren stated after his release, what happened to him and Evelyn happens every day to people of color. The police apparently believe that they can act with impunity against Black and Latino people who exercise their right to prevent and document police abuses.



The NLG calls upon New York City elected officials, following the example of Council member Charles Barron, to denounce this most recent incident of racist violence. The NLG-NYC demands that Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes dismiss all charges against Evelyn and Michael Warren. The NLG-NYC demands that the officers involved, and their superiors in the chain of command, in this brutal assault against the (unknown) youth and the Warrens be immediately suspended.



The NLG-NYC calls upon like minded individuals and organizations to come together to protect and defend the targets of police abuse. Our city cannot allow the police to continue to be a paramilitary force existing outside of the control of the people who they are paid to serve.



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