Sunset Park march against police brutality turns moms into activists
The families of Sandra Amezquita and Jonathan and Cindy Daza stood at the front of the march, arms linked with civil rights lawyer Sanford Rubenstein’s, hands holding a cardboard sign with black paint stating “Conoces Tus Derechos” – “Know Your Rights.”
They led a three-block long column of marchers who came from across Sunset Park and the city, to protest what they say is a common, chronic use of excessive force by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) against men and women of color.
“Police harassment and brutality have been an issue for a very long time,” said Brian Gonzalez, 22 of Sunset Park. “There are so many events not reported and televised. I have been stopped and frisked and seen friends beat down [over nothing], so this is very close to me because it could happen to you, to your family. Every year, the violence [from police] keeps growing.”