Complaint #202101848,
November 4, 2020

Summary

On November 4, 2020, at approximately 8:00pm, [redacted] joined a protest against police brutality and marched from 59th Street towards Union Square in Manhattan. At approximately 9:30pm, at the intersection of East 14th Street and Irving Place, the protest became disorderly in front of the Wells Fargo Bank located at 104 East 14th Street, and multiple people were placed under arrest. [redacted] was riding a Citibike and held the Citibike out to protect protestors from officers rushing onto the sidewalk. [redacted] allegedly struck then-Inspector Michele Irizarry in the face with their elbow. In response to seeing this, Detective Robert Klein of Bronx Homocide approached [redacted] struck them in the face twice, and took them to the ground (Allegations A, B: Force, [redacted]). [redacted] proceeded to flail and struggle with Detective Klein. In response to seeing this, Sgt. William Gaspari of the Strategic Response Group approached the detective and [redacted] and pushed them to the ground, and pinned them by the shoulders (Allegations C, D: Force, [redacted]). At this point, Sgt. Gaspari and Detective Klein allegedly placed their legs on [redacted]'s back and head, at which point [redacted] had trouble breathing and told officers that they could not breathe (Allegations E, F: Force, [redacted]). [redacted] was eventually placed into handcuffs and walked to a prisoner transport vehicle with Detective Klein and Sergeant Dunia Palacios of Bronx Narcotics. At one point on the way there, Detective Klein stated to [redacted] "Fucking relax" (Allegation G: Discourtesy, [redacted]). They continued to walk, and Detective Klein allegedly placed his hand around [redacted]'s neck causing bones to crack (Allegations H, I: Force, [redacted]). Detective Klein continued to walk [redacted] to the prisoner transport vehicle, at which point he and Police Officer Dynel Powell of the Strategic Response Group asked [redacted] if they were male or female, to which they responded that they did not know and identified as non-binary.... Read report for details.