Pro-Police Groups Sue NY Mayor De Blasio for Denying Blue Lives Matter Mural
Blue Lives Matter NYC and Standing up for NYC filed the lawsuit on Monday
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Pro-cop groups are suing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio after he denied a Blue Lives Matter mural, despite previously ignoring the permit process to approve a Black Lives Matter mural.
Blue Lives Matter NYC and Standing up for NYC filed the lawsuit on Monday in the Southern District of New York.
Both de Blasio and the Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg are accused in a lawsuit of violating the groups’ First Amendment rights by allowing “city property to be used by private speakers," while blocking similar mural supportive of police.
The suit reads:
“The ‘Black Lives Matter’ message is highly political and is generally understood by the public to be and support a general anti-police message, include some extreme measures as defunding the police and ending police activity."
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Blue Lives founder Sgt. Joe Imperatrice said he simply wanted “to be granted the same privilege to bring to light a cause that we so believe in would change the trajectory of equality for all those with the same interest," according to The Washington Post.
“Certain politicians have gotten away from equality and fairness for all and have given the privilege to certain groups,” he added.
WATCH: De Blasio warns “I may have to do layoffs of 22k city employees…if I don’t get federal help”
— Neon Nettle (@NeonNettle) August 5, 2020
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Jason Cohen and Tatiana Davidoff, the co-founders of Standing up for NYC, said the mural is meant o boost morale and honor cops.
“This mural is the smallest thing we could do to show our respect for them during these controversial times,” Davidoff said.
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Both groups wrote a letter to Hizzoner last month requesting the pro-cop mural near NYPD headquarters in downtown Manhattan.
De Blasio refused, however, declaring:
Black Lives Matter “transcends any notion of politics … This is about something much bigger than any one group."
De Blasio's argument didn't' stand up due to the fact he placed the mural directly outside the Trump tower.
De Blasio argued that BLM demonstrators’ calls for social justice were too important to ban, despite moving to ban other events in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Women for America First sued the City Hall for blocking a mural of their slogan “Engaging, Inspiring and Empowering Women to Make a Difference!” while permitting BLM paintings throughout the city.
