State Senator Eric Adams, a former NYPD Captain, testified today in the 'Stop & Frisk' Trial, recalling a conversation he had with NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly in 2010 about the purpose of the 'Stop & Frisk' in New York City.
According to Adams, Kelly "stated that he targeted or focused on that group because he wanted to instill fear in them that any time they leave their homes they could be targeted by police."
The City's lawyer then attempted to read a statement from Kelly in which he denied making the remarks, but this was blocked by Judge Scheindlin who noted that it would be a "back door" means of having Kelly testify without being subject to cross-examination. She then invited the Commissioner to her courtroom to take the stand and testify.
This continues the barrage of testimony damning 'Stop & Frisk' as a racially biased, unconstitutional form a policing. E.g., last week testimony that an high ranking NYPD officer told a subordinate to target "Black males, 14 to 20, 21." was introduced.
In another development, a student protesting 'Stop & Frisk' proclaimed
NYCLU @nyclu
NYCLU Teen Activist Project member at #NYPDonTRIAL 2day: "As students, we R more worried about stops than education."
The only thing 'Stop & Frisk' in New York City and its equivalent 'de facto' policies across the country have is "fear itself." There is no other basis to support this despicable policy.
Update:
Recap of trial events from last week.