Another story has come out of New York that is concerning many people throughout the social media universe.
A call was made to an apartment complex in Brooklyn regarding a domestic dispute. The NYPD showed up, allegedly at the wrong apartment, and demanded to come in. Denise Stewart, 48, told them that they had the wrong place. Regardless, Stewart was dragged in to the hallway by police. She had just taken a shower and her towel fell off in the midst of all the action, leaving Stewart virtually naked in hallway for over 2 minutes. Most of the cops at the scene were male. People shouted that the grandmother had asthma and the woman herself yelled for oxygen.
A female cop finally placed a white towel over Ms. Stewart, but she later revealed that the whole scene was “disgusting and embarrassing.” She continues to say that she did nothing wrong.
Cops say though, that the 12 year old girl in the apartment had “visible injuries” and that one of Stewart’s family members bit an officer during the altercation. Cops also say that the 12 year old resisted arrest and kicked a cop car window, which left a policeman with minor cuts to his chin. One of the more upsetting details comes from the Stewart family. Diamond Stewart is the daughter of Denise, and she has a 4 year old daughter. Family members say that this 4 year old was pepper sprayed by police.
Stewart’s son, 24 year old Kirkland Stewart, was charged with resisting arrest and the 12 year old was charged with assaulting an officer, criminal mischief and possession of a weapon.
The family lawyer, Amy Rameau, said that Ms. Stewart was “manhandled” and that she felt “completely mortified.” She also alleges that they were no injuries to the child, contradicting the cops’ complaint. ?Of course all of the family members involved are African-American. More and more troubling incidents involving the police and communities of color are popping up and it is disheartening.
What do you think? Was this just one big misunderstanding gone awry? ?I am personally upset that a 48 year old woman can just be left in nothing but her bottom underwear, laying on the floor, while numerous people (mostly male) look on. If I were in her position, I would feel utterly embarrassed and shamed. Also, pepper spraying a 4 year old seems totally uncalled for in almost any situation. If what the family is saying is true, this is another incident by the NYPD that should definitely be investigated. It will be critical to hear more of the cops’ stories though, to see how much criminality was actually involved and if their actions were necessary.
Check out the video of the incident here.
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