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‘Most’ Arrested Protesters Immediately Released Due to NY Bail Reform Law

Over 700 arrests had been reported in New York City by the middle of the anarchist week filled with violence and destruction. Unfortunately, it’s all for naught. New York City police chief Terrence Monahan told the New York Post earlier this week that the majority of those arrested are immediately released due to New York’s new bail reform law.

Protests Against Police

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”O” font=”Ultra” background_color_class=”otw-no-background” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color”][/otw_shortcode_dropcap]ver 700 arrests had been reported in New York City by the middle of the anarchist week filled with violence and destruction. Unfortunately, it’s all for naught. New York City police chief Terrence Monahan told the New York Post earlier this week that the majority of those arrested are immediately released due to New York’s new bail reform law.

Additionally, most won’t even need to post bail. That’ll teach them to disobey the law. New York’s bail-reform law was enacted on January 1. CityAndStateNY.com explains the changes:

Under the new bail law, prosecutors can only ask for bail or pretrial detention in certain felony cases – including almost all violent felonies – and a handful of misdemeanor charges. Nearly all class A felonies – the most serious category of crime, including murder, first-degree arson and first-degree kidnapping – are still eligible for bail or pretrial detention. So are the vast majority of felony sex offenses. Witness tampering and witness intimidation also fall under that category, as do terrorism and terrorism-related charges.

Protestors and looters are taking to the streets after George Floyd, an African American man was killed in a confrontation with at least four police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Memorial Day. Despite Floyd’s own family calling for peace, declaring he was a “gentle giant” who would not want his name to be honored with violence, scenes of major cities where the protests are taking place look like war zones.

Monahan said of the turmoil, “we had some arrests in Brooklyn where they had guns, [and] hopefully [Brooklyn district attorney] Eric Gonzalez will keep them in, [but] I can’t guarantee that’ll happen.” Unfortunately, “when it comes to a burglary [at] a commercial store, which is looting, they’re back out…Because of bail reform, you’re back on the street the next day” added Monahan.

Monahan mentioned he even spoke to Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance who “told me there’s nothing he can do.” Governor Andrew Cuomo partly blamed the NYPD for the devastation. “The police in New York City were not effective at doing their job last night. Period” Cuomo told reporters.

Rightly so, Chief Monahan was “extremely outraged” by Cuomo’s remarks. “I’m watching my men and women out there dealing with stuff that no cop should ever have to deal with, bricks, rocks, hit in the face with bottles and continuing to go forward to make an arrest” Monahan told the Post. “For a governor to be sitting in his office saying that we’re not doing a good job – I’m outraged.”