Central park assalts...

[Diva_56]

I dont know how many of you have heard about the central park assults... They happend last week at the Puerto Rican Day parade in NYC in central park after and even before the parade. I was there with my boyfriend enjoyint the festivities like I do every year. We have noticed that it has been getting a little bit rowdy. So we decided to leave early and didn't even THINK about entering the park at 5th or 6th avenue. We would have never thought something like this would have happened.


It hasnt happened in NY for over 10 years, and if you have seen video footage it was horrible. Women who were just walking in the park minding their own buisness were being pulled to the floor being felt up on, while the guys are yelling "Go Go Go!" I was terrible. Many of the victems has their clothing ripped off and were bundled in balls crying their eyes out, while the men reveled and enjoyed.

Worse of all the NYPD (Oh damn!!!) just stood there and did nothing about it. This is a quote from the NY post. "One victem was quoted as saying to the police 'what if it was your daughter or your wife of sister?' the policeman simply said 'my family wouldn't even come to this event'" I know those who may not live here in NYC may not know, but this NEO-NAZI MAYOR HAS GOT TO GO!!! Every time the police f*** up, (ex: those 41 bullets) you see him and that damn police commissioner ALWAYS TAKING THE POLICE'S SIDE!!! Everyone even THE BOSS knows that s*** was wrong!!!


I tell you that what comes around goes around... Not one person (even Rudy's wife soon to be divorced Donna Hannover) felt sorry for him when he found out he got prostate cancer. He even had to drop out of the senate race against Hillary(Whoppee!!!!) This is a truly evil man that deserves all that he gets!

Any way there have been over 10 arrests with pictures of suspects in the paper every day because of the brave soul that turned in that video tape. Get this, two of the men captured are aspiring models and a stock broker! It is sad that even in the year 2000 that men feel they have the right to disrespect and violate women the way they did in that park...

I want to hear your voices on this ladies...

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In complete darkness we are all the same... It is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us... Don't let your eyes deceive you

Janet Jackson

[pretty3grl]

I am in Texas, but I too saw this incident on the news. It was truly sad. I am so sick of politicians trying to get votes instead of doing what is right. I also heard that the NYPD wants everyone to boycott Springsteen for making a song about those 41 shots. What a crock. They do wrong, and then just want it shoved under the carpet silently. I hope the publicity of the proposed boycott leads to moer airtime for the song.

[AKAtude]

I did hear about this incident and have seen the video taken. I'm glad the video tape exists, but as Geraldo Rivera pointed out on his his news show, it would have been nice to see him try to help these women out. Yes, they were disrespected and violated, and someone should have come to their rescue.

If I were a witness to something like this, my first instinct is to call or go for help. If I were being assaulted like that, I would pray that someone would come to my rescue or at least get assistance. Those men involved should be ashamed of themselves and deserve to be punished.

[Diva_56]

This was in the paper this morning to that i forgot to mention, They have even another tape... The NYPD say that they don't want to release it but it has footage of two women (who have not come forward---47 in all) getting run after by this mob. Then just when the mob catches them, the tape stops showing the footage, its like some weird Blair Witch thing... That so called boycott it crap, All of Bruce Springsteen's concerts are sold out here at the garden... Your right AKAtude, I wish this so called "concerned citizen" would have called for help instead of videotaping the incident. I found his attention more focused on the bodies of the victems than the actual suspects.

[Asia2000]

All I have to say is God Bless that woman, I believe her name was payton, for coming forward publicly in the press. Thanks to her I believe 44 women came forward and I think almost 20 men were arrested. If she didn't come forward and make a big stink about it, I am sure many of those women would've just dealt with it, probably blamed themselves for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or too provacatively dressed, etc. -- and that would've been wrong!

[LadyAKA]

I agree that all that is happening in my hometown of New York is down right disgusting. I can't believe what happened after the parade (it was not during the parade or along the route of it). First let's not BLAME ALL New York City Cops - you can't go around saying NYPD just like you don't want people to say ALL BLACKS or Latinos - if you do this it creates the stereotypes that we all hate to hear! I have three NYPD officers in my immediate family and two neighbors and then a host of other friends in the academy right now. And if I have to I will vouch for these men and state that they are the epitome of Man Hood and they uphold their communities to the fullest. Okay now that I have let that off my chest - I can begin. On the day of the parade the police were very relaxed this includes all the police on Duty (black, white and yellow). I think Police persons (men/women) are now falling into a catch 22. We are in the day and age of suing Mc Donald's because the coffee is too hot. The four white policemen that shot Mr.Dillao (sp) ruined it for all! Police personal are tippy toeing around citizens now. If they so much as look at you wrong they can be called into the office and put on desk duty, -WHY well b/c we (you and I) feel they are picking on us. I think there needs to be a median. Whether we like it or not they are New York's finest and they are the ones (well most of them) putting their lives on the line for us! YES, it was wrong to stand by, but that's what Guliani and the commissioner probably told them to do..... now that's where the problem comes in. Back to needing a median, obviously the sensitively training is not working because officers are now too laxed. They need to respectfully take back the streets and live up to their name - how? Well I don't have answer for that right now. I simply wrote to say don't blame all the cops. I have seen the video tapes too, and I have yet to see an officer sitting around. Please listen to the other side of the story there are females that came forward and said they got adequate help from officers, but of course that part is overlooked. And the one's video taping committed a crime also, getting help would have been my main concern, it's true what that they focused more on torn clothes and wet T-shirts then on assailants faces or the faces of officers that were supposedly there doing nothing.

That's my piece -
LadyAKA

P.S.
1) Tell me if you seriously believe that the two women that are suing the city need 5 million dollars 'EACH' - come one - now that's a CROCK!
2) My last comment for now on this is: last Sunday during the incidents it was hot outside and women were dressed VERY VERY VERY PROVOCATIVELY , not saying they deserve to be assaulted but take some time to think if you would have put yourself in the position that those women did - and please don't hate I am just not afraid to talk the truth.
3) NO ONE DESERVES TO HAVE PROSTATE CANCER! - But things do happen for a reason and maybe with him leaving office and not running for the senate the NYPD can be reorganized and changed for the better!

[This message has been edited by LadyAKA (edited June 19, 2000).]

[pretty3grl]

I still do not agree with the Police Union's(I saw the press conference) suggestion that Springsteen's concerts be boycotted and police officers not work security for him. This is the same as saying "We did wrong, but we don't want to be publically called out about it". If someone wrote a song about the atrocity of killing an NYPD police officer, would they try to supress it so that "the city can heal"? No, the department and union would probably decide that the song could aid in the healing process. Is this any different when the shoe is on the other foot? Apparently so.

[LadyAKA]

Oh I forgot to get on the Springsteen song part of the topic. I believe Springsteen can sing what he wants that is what the 1st amendment it about. At this point in time I do feel that it is stirring up controversy. As for the union calling for a boycott that is there choice too. And at this moment in time the union is showing their A** and it makes it hard to argue for people with that attitude. So, I still say don't criticize all NYPD because of LYNCH's (president of PATROLMEN'S BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION - I.E. THE UNION) actions/words. Yes, he was voted in by majority but so was our mayor, and yall know he don't speak for all of us!
So in short NO I DO NOT AGREE with the boycott, but I agree that this is not the time for the song to be sung. Remember there is a time and place for everything.

Sisterly
LadyAKA

[Diva_56]

Lady AKA I never said that Mayor Guliani deserves Prostate cancer, but you live here too... you have seen how he and commish have responded to innocent lives lost here Amadou Diallo and Patrick Dorismond. They have been insensitive at best non-caring about the two unwarrented deaths. For those that don't know Guliani and that comish illegally released juvenile records of Patrick Dorismond's to almost "justify" that those police officers did to them! It is a total slap in the face to the Dorismond family!


Guliani didn't feel obiged either to offer an apology to The Diallo's or the Dorismond's until his behind withdrew from the senate race. It is obvious he didn't care about it before, and this obviously would show in the vote.


Although it is not my style It is not those women's fault if they were dressed provocatively or not. They could have ran through central park naked (although I don't recommend it) and nobody had the right to touch them anyplace on their body... much less rip their clothing off for their pleasure... Period.


As for the two women sueing for the 5 million dollars... more power to them!!! I' sure that if the police were paying attention to this incident and not to their "traffic assignment" the number of attacks would definitely be lowered. I don't totally blame the police, but their has got to be something done about the NYPD! Too many of them are
lax, racist, and uncaring to the plight of the urban areas they "protect"!!! They all hold these sterotypes that basically killed Amadou Diallo! When will it stop?!!!


Your right LadyAKA, the cops have been given directives from Guliani and that commissioner, it was basically giving them the license TO KILL!!! I Don't care what anybody says, but the police here have been nothing but trouble (especially in the Bronx where I live) ans will continue to cause trouble as long as they are given an umbrella by Guliani and this "justice" system to go under every time they make an mistake.


No it is not all of the NYPD, but a few of the bad apples that spoil the bunch. It is a shame for all of the hardworking policeman there are.

Sorry for the long post and the cursing in the first post (Its stuff like this that gets me going Forgive me Jesus!)....

Have a blessed day



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In complete darkness we are all the same... It is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us... Don't let your eyes deceive you

Janet Jackson

[This message has been edited by Diva_56 (edited June 19, 2000).]

[niceone]

I also saw the videotape on the news, I could'nt believe my eyes!!! I almost cried because as I watched those girls being assulted I though to myself "this could have happened to me". Women cannot even walk through a simple event without getting attacked and not just that, what about the rude remarks and catcalls we receive? It is a shame that men treat woman this way. Do we have to repeat history all over again by fighting for our right to be left the h*** alone. I am sorry but I cannot believe it, it's like some men give cars and DOGS more respect than they do us. I am not saying that all men are like this and I am very thankful that there are good men out there, but some type of action has got to be taken or else it can happen again.

[PrettyoneNCD]

I agree with you ladies. What happened to these young women in Central Park at the Puerto Rican Day Parade was terrible. My heart goes out to every woman attack and every woman that gave birth to these animals they call "son". However I have a couple of points to state.
First, no one (male or female) no matter how you are dressed deserves to be sexually attacked. I dont care if they came to the parade nude, how dare you violate me and my body. Do you ever wonder why sex crimes are the only crimes where the victim feels guilty? It is because many people who have never been the victim of such crimes always use some type of scapegoating that makes the victim feel that she/he contributed to their own victimization. It is my opinion that unless you have been the victim of such a crime you will NEVER, NEVER know the depth of emotional scars. TRUST ME!!!
Secondly, How does anyone of us know that no calls were made to 911. I left the NYPD just 7 months ago. I worked as a 911 Dispatcher & calltaker. If the Comissioner and Mayor dont want the public to know about things, you never will. Any New Yorker's remember 1 year ago that the 911 system crashed? No calls were answered because the system failed. Well I have news for you 911 crashes everyday. At least 3 minutes each occurance. But you never knew it, did you? In the summer when call volume increases more calls go unanswered. Smaller counties in the US have better 911 systems than NYPD, But we handle at least 300- 400 calls per operator on a NORMAL shift ( 8 hours) and are still using equipment from the 70's. By the way there are about 150 operators per shift, you do the math. You got to think whaqt the hell are they doing with your 35 cent 911 surcharge you pay monthly. Take a look at your phine bills next month, it's there. Now do the math for that. 35 cents times how many people have phones in NYC.
LadyAKA was definitely correct when stating there is a catch 22. God forbid you were an officer that responded to a call for help in the park and something happened at your post while you were gone. That's your job ----or at the very least money from your pay, commonly called Command disciplines. I dont know about you but I cant afford for a couple of hundred dollars missing from my paycheck. And did anyone really expect the Mayor and the Comissioner to get on the TV and say "I'm sorry but we **cked up". Yeah that's like getting ice water in hell.
No suing for 5 million dollars doesn't make sense but how realistic are the chances of them collecting. Maybe their grandchildren will get about $100,000. But if they asked for 100,000 they would have gotten $50.

When I gave birth to my son I vowed that I'd do everything within my power to bring him up to be a respectable man. With morals and the commonsense the Good Lord gave him. So many woman make mistakes with their sons upbringing then turn around and say "No not my son". It makes you wonder where are all the real parents? Because if my son was on that video tape. I would have taken his corpse to the precinct!

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To KNOW me is to LOVE me

[LadyAKA]

Diva_56 in your first post you stated "The Mayor deserves everything he gets", does that mean everything besides prostate cancer?
Now you don't have to tell me about how the Mayor and his commissioner are to blame for all that is happening and has happened in this city - I know this and I too have a Bronx Residence. I know that it is their fault and that is the point I am trying to make. We, as New York Residents can't blame all New York City Police Officers! I don't care what yall say; they have done more good then bad, and they have protected more then they have harmed - Plain and simple! It hurts to see what is happening now because all are taking the bad rap for a few - you can easily equate this to when an AKA beats down another in the name of sisterhood but all of us get blamed, now is that right? HELL NO! So hopefully you get the point I am making now - stop stereotyping and stop blaming ALL because of the FEW!
As you all know I live in the city too, I know all the bad that is happening, it's starts at the Mayor's office and trickles down to the commissioner and then on the officers. The one at the top needs to be blamed, we all know that it is him that has caused these problems.

And PrettyoneNCD, yes I am very blessed to never have been a victim of such attacks but all I will say is I NEVER HAVE PUT MYSELF IN SUCH COMPROMISING POSITIONS - NEVER!
I know all about the command disciplines that officers can receive and believe me they hate it, so I think most are trying their best not to have a need to be disciplined. It's partially true what the mayor doesn't want you to know, you may never find out - that BLUE wall of silence is very thick but everything gets leaked out, the 911 phone system has been beat to hell and they have known for years that the system needs to be upgraded they just started doing something about it when the everyone found out about the black out times. I say all this to say I know a bunch about the NYPD and you shouldn't judge then until YOU have been there!

Lastly, I feel sorry about what happened to these women, but 5 million each is still ridiculous!


Sisterly

[This message has been edited by LadyAKA (edited June 21, 2000).]

[pretty3grl]

I do not live in New York, But I do live in a large urban city (Dallas). I know that it is very difficult to handle all disturbances that may occur. I will never say that the NYPD had not done good. I am quick to praise the heroic actions of any public servant. I am also apt to look at the bad. The higher ups in the NYPD and the mayor need to do the same. They are quick to take responsibility for the positives and want everyones else to praise them as well, but do not want to take responsibility for the negative. I am a school administrator, and I feel that 99% of the teachers that I work with a great educators, but that does not mean that I will not criticize those who are terrible (and there are some). If they jepordize a student's education, which directly contridicts their job, I want them to be punished to the fullest extent, and I will not protect them from that. If I can recognize good behavior, I have to be equally prepared to recognize bad behavior. It seems that the commish and the mayor refuse to even admitt that ANY problem exists. I KNOW that bad things can happen whether you put yourself in a bad position or not (some of the women who were attacked were not even in the park, one was walking with a 5 year old girl, and the people from other countries may not live in a place where you are groped simply because you are female and attractive). All I am saying is that when you accept a job that relates to public service, you have to be prepared to be praised and lambasted. I face this reality everyday and if I wasn't able to step up, I would get another job.
I am more appalled when most of the perpetrators are of color. Even if this is a media tactic, and it happens with whites as well, I become enraged when I see people of color acting in ways that would CLEARLY embarrass everyone in their family. It doesn't matter if whites do it too, that doesn't mean that we have to. Some of those people were in college and still acted like they have no sense (so what are they getting out of the education?). We know that the media seeks to portray us in a stereotypical way, but it saddens me that they don't have to look too hard to find bad behavior. Those brothers saw all of the cameras, and they still didn't care that the next day, their mother, grandmother, preacher, baby sister, etc, would be sitting in front of the TV driven to tears by their behavior. I just don't get it.

[pretty3grl]

Alos, when I was a classroom teacher, I was sometimes asked to do (or not do) things that would be negative for my students. I refused, and I took what came with the refusal. For the officers who claim to be following protocal, perhaps they need to realize that sometimes protocal must be broken to save the life of a person. Soror, I am not saying all NYPD are uncaring, but some, as shown in this incident, are and they can't blame their non-action on the commish or the Mayor. They have to blame themselves. I hope that they are punished as severely as the perpetrators.
As for the 5 million, as stated earlier, we know that they will not get nearly that much, and if they would have sued for $100,000, they would have gotten $50.

[LadyAKA]

Originally posted by PositivelyAKA:
how dare someone sit on their throne and say that someone who is sexually attacked somehow put themselves in a compromising position

Dear PositivelyAKA what throne are you referring to that I have cast myself upon? I would really like the chance to get to talk to your personally, you never did send me your e-mail address or post it.
Soror pretty3grl I understand your points and agree with most of it. .....


[This message has been edited by LadyAKA (edited June 21, 2000).]