In a statement to CNN, NYPD spokeswoman Sgt. Jessica McRorie said officers “were looking for an open complaint report for an assault on a police officer” during a June 14 protest in Manhattan.
During the June protest, an officer tried to prevent him from crossing a police line and a fight ensued, McRorie said. Ingram claimed “placed a handheld megaphone directly against the officer’s ear, activated the megaphone and wrote, causing pain and prolonged hearing loss,” according to McRorie.
“This was an attempt to silence our movement,” the statement said. “This militarized police response threatens the safety of residents in Hell’s Kitchen and throughout NYC.”
Ingram streamed the interaction live on Instagram.
On Saturday, Ingram, accompanied by a lawyer, turned himself in to the crime prosecutor of third-degree attack, said the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. He was released on his own initiative and is arrained, the district attorney’s office said.
“Mr. Ingram turned himself (Saturday) morning into a surrender negotiated by his lawyer, and was peacefully escorted to the area by his friends and allies. Such agreed surrenders are just practice between lawyers and the NYPD,” said Lupe Todd-Medina, a spokeswoman for NY County Defender Services.
Todd-Medina said the lawyer’s efforts to negotiate Ingram’s surrender “were almost foiled by an unusual show of police crossing yesterday afternoon and afternoon” and that they were looking forward to the prosecutors’ fight against Ingram.
“The presence of NYPD officials at Mr. Ingram’s fire escape, helicopters running overhead, and police dogs was a shocking demonstration of the NYPD’s tactics ready to undertake to suppress dissent,” Todd said. -Medina.
Danny Frost, a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office, said in a statement Saturday that her office “condones the extraordinary tactics not used by police on Friday.”
“These actions were disproportionate to the proven crime that occurred two months ago, and unfair conflict escalated between law enforcement and the communities we serve,” Frost said.
“Better to talk the top brass of the NYPD better. Who really gave the order to retaliate?”, Lynch said. “They have set an incredibly devastating precedent. Police officers and all New Yorkers deserve to know who reported their literal surrender of the NYPD to criminals.”
Officers said they had an arrest warrant for Ingram’s arrest, Ossé said, but they did not show anyone when asked. Hours later, the officers left – without making an arrest.
“Commissioner Shea made the right decision to end the operation,” he said, referring to New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “Attacking an officer is not acceptable and will always lead to consequences, but arrests must be made properly.”
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