At least 200 or more demonstrators in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement came out yesterday at Herald Square to tell the public that Mayor De Blasio is not the progressive leader he tries to portray himself to be.

From the event page:

NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio has presented himself as the progressive leader in the battle against Trump’s Racist policies, telling New Yorkers to keep protesting and giving his support. However, it is Bill DeBlasio who condemned Black Lives Matter protesters, reinvested more money into the NYPD without demanding any substantial changes, and continued the racist policies that facilitate collaboration between ICE and the NYPD. It is DeBlasio’s support for Broken Windows policing that puts Black and Brown lives at risk in New York City and has facilitated the recent raids against Immigrants of Color. These policies will only further lend support for Trump’s declarations to reinstate ‘Law and Order’ which is code for more militarized policing and criminalization of people of color and protesters. Don’t believe DeBlasio for a second when he claims he will ‘confront’ Trump. DeBlasio’s support for the violent, racist NYPD and for the continued gentrification of New York makes it clear which side he’s on. It’s time to tell Trump and DeBlasio that this is OUR city.

OUR DEMANDS:

Stop all NYPD cooperation with ICE
End racist Broken Windows policing in NYC
Abolish the police!
Reinvest the $5.5 billion annual budget of the NYPD into New York’s Black and Brown communities for housing, healthcare and education

Called By:

People’s Power Assemblies, NYC Shut It Down, Why Accountability, Hoods 4 Justice and International Working Women’s Day Coalition

Endorsers include:

ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and Racism)
Black Lives Matter Greater New York
Equality For Flatbush
Party for Socialism and Liberation
Teach Dream

Larry Holmes with the People’s Power Assembly told me why the event was being held and the issues it was addressing, “For one, ever since Trump came to power, 60 or 70 days ago, there has not been a #BlackLivesMatter demonstration. So, we’re here on April Fools Day to say, Hello, the #BlackLivesMatter movement is still alive, we’re still fighting for justice for all black and brown people who have been targets for police terror and violence.”

“We’re also critiquing the mayor of this city, De Blasio, who ran as a liberal and acted as though he was sympathetic to us who are facing police oppression. But, after a little time the police scared him and now he does their bidding. And anything they want to do to black and brown people; beat em up, shoot em, that’s ok with him. WE’RE EXPOSING HIM, HE’S A PHONY LIBERAL. He’s really like Trump in another face”.

Jason Harrison was a black male struggling with mental health issues who was shot and killed by Dallas police in 2015. One of the two officers called to the scene tells Harrison to drop the tool, a command the officers repeat at least four times as Harrison’s mom screams, “Jay! Jay! Jay!” Within five seconds of that first command, the 39-year-old schizophrenic man is shot five times — including twice in the back as he crashes headlong into the home’s garage door, just a few feet from his mother.