Several anti-cop City Council members in New York, who have criticized the NYPD, are now seeking police protection after receiving death threats. Council members Chi Osse and Shahana Hanif, along with Yusef Salaam and Carlina Rivera, have complained about the threats and requested NYPD assistance despite their previous criticism of the police force. Some council staff have expressed concern about the threats, with one staffer praising security personnel for being responsive.
These council members have been vocal critics of the NYPD and have pushed for policies that increase accountability for officers, such as the “How Many Stops Act.” However, some officers have criticized them for requesting police protection despite their negative stance towards law enforcement. The four council members have not responded to requests for comment on the threats they have received, but they have faced backlash for their criticisms of the police force and other emergency services.
Yusef Salaam, who chairs the council’s public safety committee, had a public dispute with a police officer during a routine traffic stop, further straining the relationship between the council members and law enforcement. Carlina Rivera’s staff also criticized the FDNY for displaying a flag that they deemed to be politically charged, leading to further tensions between the council members and first responders.
In addition to receiving threats related to their stances on law enforcement, these council members have also faced criticism for their support of pro-Palestinian protests that disrupted the city. Council member Osse has expressed support for the pro-Palestinian cause, while Hanif has blamed anti-Palestinian sentiment for violent protests in the city. These issues have contributed to the threats that the council members have received and their requests for police protection.
Some of the threats against the council members have been serious enough to prompt police involvement, such as a letter containing unknown white powder received by Rivera’s office. The NYPD responded to a 911 call regarding the letter, determining that the powder was not hazardous but acknowledging that the incident made the staffers feel threatened. Other council members, including Salaam, have also been subject to threatening phone calls that have led to security assessments by the NYPD.
Despite their previous criticism of law enforcement, the anti-cop City Council members in New York have sought police protection after receiving death threats. The threats, related to their criticism of the NYPD and other emergency services, have prompted the council members to request security assessments and assistance from the police. This situation highlights the complex relationship between the council members and law enforcement in New York City.
