Police Abuse of Power

In July on 28th street and Fifth ave, I became part of an incident that was shocking and an abuse of police power!

I work on 28th st and Fifth ave. I went outside my office and headed across the street to get some soy chips at the deli. I noticed the area had been blocked off with barricades around the streets, but I also saw some people walking around them as well to get on the sidewalk…so, I continued on my route towards the deli when suddenly a man in a blue (military) uniform stops me and says “you’re on unauthorized property…stop.”

I stopped and turned back around to go back to my office, when suddenly I was face to face (or, face to chest because he was over 6 feet tall) with a man in a white shirt and business pants who shouts “Homeland Security” and puts his hand up against me. I began to explain to him that I work across the street and was just going back to my office, but the minute I opened my mouth I was grabbed by him. I tried to pull my arm away and then he started to twist it (and turn me around) like he was going to break it. Then, the man in the blue uniform grabbed my other arm. I told him he was hurting me and please stop and please tell me what was going on. He mentioned the president was in town and he was a lieutenant.

He then continued to drag me further away from my office. I asked why they let me get out of my building in the first place and he said it was a mistake. Then, the lieutenant grabbed the back of neck and started to squeeze tight. I felt my vertebrae cracking. He said I was going to be handcuffed if I said another word and he continued to squeeze my neck. I was told I could not go back to my office and was walked up the block by the man in the blue uniform. He repeatedly told me not to look anywhere but straight ahead or he would handcuff me. At the end of the block I asked how he could treat me this way. He said “I am military and just do what I am told. These were my orders.”

I walked away with red welts on my arm and a sore neck. I am beyond shocked at what our country has become and not sure what I can do about it….

-Anonymous