The NYPD has disciplined Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna for pepper-spraying two female protesters. Bologna a mere 10 vacation days for violating departmental guidelines regarding the use of pepper spray and nearly creating mayhem. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.
@WiL
If he has used up his 2011 vacation, he will lose pay.
The 29-year veteran makes $154,300 a year.
Protesters had demanded that Bologna be sanctioned for spraying the faces of two penned-in women and quickly striding away during a massive protest Sept. 24 near Union Square.
By all accounts, Bologna’s action was unprovoked and even other cops at the scene were recorded expressing amazement at what he did.
Bologna’s punishment was first reported by the New York Times. The details were confirmed by the Daily News.
The news broke as Occupy Wall Street protesters were marching on Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s office to demand that he crack down on police brutality.
They broke into cheers.
“It’s a great step – acknowledging the attacks during the occupation. We are here to make sure it doesn’t happen any more, said Vocal New York community organizer Alfredo Carrasquillo, who was leading the police brutality march.
He called the loss of two weeks of vacation “a slap on the wrist.”
“He put that woman and her eyesight in danger,” Carrasquillo said.
Bologna was disciplined one day after prominent defense lawyer Ron Kuby brought one of the victims, 24-year-old Albany teacher’s aide Kaylee Dedrick, to meet with investigators in Vance’s office.
Kuby didn’t think much of Bologna’s punishment.
“Frankly, I don’t want him to lose any vacation days at all. That means he spends more time on the job with an even bigger attitude,” Kuby said. “I think he needs a very long rest someplace quiet and stress free.”
Tuesday night, about 200 protesters were laying siege to Skylight, an event space in Soho, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo was scheduled to receive an award.
“Where is Cuomo? Protecting the One Percent” they chanted.
It was unclear if the governor was inside.
Month two of Occupy Wall Street began Tuesday with forays uptown: a labor march on Sotheby’s to protest the lockout of union art handlers in a contract dispute, and an evening gathering at Lincoln Center.
Protesters from Zuccotti Park joined Teamsters in a march uptown on the world-famous auction house, which locked out workers in August when contract negotiations hit a wall.
“What’s happening at Sotheby’s is happening all over America. They’re trying to bust unions,” said steelworker Erica Kent, 28, of Long Beach, Calif.
