John Troiano
Justice For Joseph T. - Victim of NYPD Brutality
This GoFundMe will support Joseph T., who was profiled, stalked and then brutally attacked by NYPD officers shortly after midnight on May 25, 2020 while riding the subway.
In extremely disturbing body worn camera footage obtained and released by Joseph’s attorneys, he is seen peacefully riding the subway on his way home to Brooklyn when NYPD Officer Adonis Long and Officer Shimul Saha approached him for allegedly occupying two subway seats. Without legal reason, Officers Long and Saha demanded that Joseph exit the train.
When Joseph moved to an adjacent car, Long and Saha pursued him. Aggressively acting to remove Joseph from the subway car, PO Long punched him and threw him onto the platform. PO Long is also heard using explicit language. When Joseph attempted to question Officers Long and Saha as to why he was being attacked, Officer Long responded by macing him in the face. Joseph was eventually handcuffed, restrained against a wall and then taken to a local hospital on a stretcher. Throughout the entire footage, Joseph can be heard crying out in pain, expressing fear for his safety and an inability to breathe.
The police first charged Joseph with Resisting Arrest, Obstruction of Governmental Administration and taking up more than one seat on the subway. However, despite this graphic BWC footage, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. initially upgraded the charges and added a felony charge of Assault in the Second Degree.
Only after a slew of negative articles in the media, the Manhattan DA dismissed the Assault in the Second Degree charge, and Joseph was offered an ACD for the remaining resisting arrest offense. However, his attorneys are adamant that the Manhattan DA dismiss all charges immediately in the interest of justice.
The attack has left Joseph traumatized and nervous that he could again be needlessly targeted by the NYPD.
This fund will help support Joseph find housing, purchase essentials and secure needed services.