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| Dozens of people gathered for a pre-planned snowball fight in Washington Square Park on Monday. A confrontation erupted after police arrived(Image: Getty Image) |
During the blizzard in New York City, what appeared to be a harmless snowball fight has turned into a snowball fight, resulting in a dispute between Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the city's police leadership. After an enormous snowstorm, some parkgoers appear to be aiming snowballs at police in a video taken on Monday afternoon in Washington Square Park. Mamdani urged New Yorkers to treat police officers with respect and said that those involved should not face charges. But his response put him at odds with police leaders, who called his statements "disgraceful".
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One of the four suspects who, according to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), attacked officers with snowballs and injured them has been apprehended. On the day of the fight, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch wrote on social media, "I want to be very clear." "The behavior that is depicted is shameful and criminal." In the days following a storm that dumped nearly 20 inches (51 centimeters) of snow on the city, viral videos of the snowball fight have been shared on TikTok and X. During the city's most recent major storm, Washington Square Park in Manhattan's Greenwich Village frequently attracts large crowds for snow-day activities and snowball fights. But the tone of Monday's snowball fight changed. Video shows people throwing snowballs and yelling profanities as NYPD officers walk back to their vans after responding to 911 calls. On Thursday, the police department arrested Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, in connection with the incident. They are also looking for three additional men, all of whom are described as being between 18 and 20 years old. "Intentionally struck the police officers multiple times with snow and ice in the head, neck, and face causing injuries," according to a spokesperson for the NYPD. The officers were transported to the hospital, where they remain stable. Tuesday, at a news conference, Mamdani said that he saw video of the incident and didn't think there should be any charges. He stated, "It looked like kids at a snowball fight from the videos I've seen."
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| The NYPD released four images of men they say were involved in assaulting police officers(Image: Getty Image) |
In a subsequent social media post, the mayor urged residents to respect police officers and other city employees. "Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. "Be respectful to them," he advised. "I'm the only one who can catch a snowball." On Wednesday, Mamdani stated once more that what he witnessed "was a snowball fight," recognizing that the situation "got out of hand, but that's what it was." After the blizzard, the mayor joked that students at city schools should throw snowballs at him for reopening school. However, his attempt to lighten the mood has not been successful for some critics. Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), made the following statement on Tuesday: "The mayor's response is a complete failure of leadership." "This was much more than just a "snowball fight."
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Two police officers were taken to the hospital with head and face injuries as a result of this assault, which involved adults throwing rocks and ice chunks. "The mayor has sent a disgraceful message to every police officer who serves this city, and a dangerous message to every person who might be looking to attack a police officer in the future."
The Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) agreed, with the union's president Vincent Vallelong saying: "Today it is snowballs. It might be rocks, bottles, or worse tomorrow." It is the unions' first major disagreement with the mayor, who apologized prior to taking office for remarks that referred to the NYPD as "racist" and "a threat to public safety." Throughout his campaign for mayor, his opponents repeatedly portrayed him as a police-hater who was weak on public safety. Mamdani requested Tisch's continued service after being elected in November. Tisch was appointed by former Mayor Eric Adams. Some people thought that Mamdani was trying to quell fears that he would be soft on crime by keeping Tisch, who was popular with moderates and business leaders. Tension between mayors and the police union is not a new phenomenon, said Basil Smikle, a political strategist and former executive director of the state Democratic Party - especially when those mayors have a history of advocating for criminal justice reform.
He stated, "The mayor is trying to walk a fine line between not giving into narratives about young people of color in this city, which is important." However, he went on to say, "The police officers themselves and the PBA are always going to be sensitive to the mayor not standing up for police." For example, former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's relationship with police unions became hostile after he called out racial disparities in policing, Smikle said. After two police officers were shot and killed while de Blasio was in office, the PBA's then-president said that de Blasio had "blood on his hands." Smikle stated that Mamdani's previous rhetoric scrutinizes any remarks he makes regarding the police. He stated, "Some may view this incident as somewhat playful, but it's hard to separate what could very easily be construed as animosity toward the police." "Those previous statements will always be viewed through his eyes."
Source: BBC
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