NYPD officers took to the internet to voice their displeasure with the West Indian Day Parade, and now it's come back to haunt them. The officers, both retired and current, have been accused of making racist comments on the "No More West Indian Day Detail" Facebook page. It's since been deleted, but public defender Benjamin Moore was appalled at what he read while representing a client.
Comments included "they should bring in the National Guard. Let the government handle these animals," says Moore, who was smart enough to copy the comments before the page was taken down. Other gems from the offensive highlight reel include "Maybe next year they should hold it on Rikers Island,” "It’s the unemployment parade," "Why is everyone calling it a parade, it's a scheduled riot," and “Drop a bomb and wipe them all out.”
Councilman Jumaane Williams, who was wrongfully cuffed by the police at this year's event, flat out said that some officers are racist and called out the leadership-or lack thereof-of Commissioner Ray Kelly and Mayor Bloomberg for allowing it. Or lack thereof. Some of the more aware officers warned others to watch what they put on Facebook, but the oblivious cops denied the racist overtones of their comments, saying that the parade is violent and a hassle.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg's office said that the comments are absolutely unacceptable if they're true, and the NYPD is launching an internal investigation. What else is new. Here's another dagger for New York's finest: let's not forget that some officers actually enjoy the parade.
[via NY1 News]
Follow @ComplexGuide.
