Watch: NYPD Officers Turn Their Backs To Mayor De Blasio

Saturday evening was a somber occasion in New York, after the assassination of two police officers by a gunman who warned beforehand that he was avenging the deaths of two African-American men at the hands of law enforcement. However, sentiment turned bitter towards the city’s mayor, when NYPD officers turned their backs on Bill de Blasio upon his arrival at a press conference. The shocking display was captured on tape, citing a CNS News report.

Mayor de Blasio walked into Woodhull Hospital to meet with Commissioner Bill Bratton for a press conference on the shooting deaths of Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos. Both of the fallen cops were taken there after being gunned down ambush-style as they sat in their police cruisers in a Brooklyn neighborhood.

Throngs of NYPD officers were lined up along the corridor leading to the presser. However, it was apparent that before the mayor arrived, officers agreed to turn their backs on the city leader in a show of censure over his remarks about a number of high-profile deaths of young black men. Some claim the mayor’s comments were anti-police in tone, and aimed at further fanning tension among cops and the community they serve.

No remarks from police were aimed at Mayor de Blasio. However, the scores of officers with their backs turned spoke volumes of their angst against his alleged indirect role in the killings.

Ismaaiyl Brinsley, 28, allegedly shot his girlfriend in Maryland before traveling to the city and killing the two NYPD officers in cold blood. He later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, but warned earlier that the shootings are “revenge” for the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.

After Ramos and Liu were pronounced dead, a police spokesperson from the union spoke about against the mayor and city officials, claiming there is “blood on the hands” of city hall, “beginning with the mayor.”

[Image via: New Locker, New York Daily News]