NYPD officers kneel in solidarity with Jamaica demonstrators protesting racist police violence

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Deputy Inspector Vincent Tavalaro took a knee alongside demonstrators protesting racist police violence in Jamaica Sunday. Photo via @NYPDQueensSouth/Twitter

Deputy Inspector Vincent Tavalaro took a knee alongside demonstrators protesting racist police violence in Jamaica Sunday. Photo via @NYPDQueensSouth/Twitter

By David Brand

As the NYPD clashed with demonstrators during a weekend of citywide protests, a small group of Queens officers, including a local precinct commander, took a knee in solidarity with activists protesting racist police violence in Jamaica Sunday.

Deputy Inspector Vincent Tavalaro, the commanding officer of the 103rd Precinct in Jamaica, knelt with demonstrators along Jamaica Avenue, where community members gathered to protest the police killing of George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota, and systemic racism and oppression of black people nationwide. 

The gesture of humility and solidarity came the same weekend as Brooklyn officers drove a police vehicle into a crowd of demonstrators and viral videos captured cops shoving and macing peaceful protestors. Meanwhile, some demonstrators became violent themselves, tossing bottles at police, smashing storefronts and torching squad cars. 

Photo via @NYPDQueensSouth/Twitter

Photo via @NYPDQueensSouth/Twitter

The simple act drew cheers from demonstrators at the scene, as well as praise from leaders across Queens.

“YES. THIS is what de-escalation looks like. Trust,” tweeted Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee, along with a video of the demonstration.

Councilmember Donovan Richards, a candidate for Queens Borough President, praised Tavalaro, the former commander of the 101st Precinct in Richards’ Far Rockaway district.

“Not surprised at his passion in building bridges one bit!” Richards tweeted.

The demonstration in Jamaica took place a day after protestors marched through Jackson Heights to protest police violence and systemic racism. The series of weekend protests marked the first large-scale gatherings in New York City since the city and state imposed social distancing orders and restricted in-person congregations.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea, who has faced intense criticism for violence perpetrated by other members of the force over the weekend, also praised the Jamaica officers.

“We need more of this, to see and hear each other, to work together, to recognize that our differences are our strength,” Shea tweeted.