Community members gathered outside of city hall in Binghamton, New York to support a Black man as he filed a report detailing the New Year's Eve incident where an officer allegedly kneeled on his neck.
Videos of the incident obtained by 12 News appear to show an officer kneeling on a man identified as Hamail Waddell outside of Dillinger's Irish Pub as a crowd of New Year’s Eve partygoers watched.
"Get your phones out!" one bystander yelled, per the videos.
Several witnesses compared the incident to former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd's neck in May 2020.
“We had this conversation in 2020, so I don’t understand why in 2023 we’re out there in front of the police station talking about the same kneel that killed George Floyd,” Community activist Salka Valerio said.
In a statement, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham addressed the New Year's Eve incident.
“Binghamton Police are aware of a social media post with photos and video of an arrest that took place at roughly 3:19 a.m. on Jan. 1 on State Street downtown,” Kraham said. “On Monday, the 24-year-old male filed a complaint with Binghamton Police. Like all complaints, it will be swiftly and thoroughly investigated to determine facts, including review of body camera footage.”
Other community activists are demanding the release of body camera footage and for the officers involved to be fired.
Reading about Black trauma can have an impact on your mental health. If you or someone you know need immediate mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.