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Brooklyn, NY (WorkersCompensation.com) – A New York councilwoman was arrested this week for allegedly biting an NYPD chief during a protest against the construction of a homeless shelter in Bensonhurst.
According to police, Brooklyn City Councilwoman Susan Zhuang was arrested around 6 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17. The first-term conservative Democrat is accused of biting the chief on the arm hard enough to leave an impression of her teeth in his skin. Zhuang was charged with felony assault, resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration.
“[Under] no way shape or form is it acceptable to assault and/or bite a New York City police officer,” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said during a news briefing Wednesday.
A second demonstrator, Thanh Nguyen, 56, was also charged with assaulting a police officer. Seventeen other protesters were also taken into custody, Assemblyman William Colton (D-Brooklyn) said, then later released.
Zhuang’s charges stem from a heated protest when construction workers began to demolish buildings to make way for a new homeless shelter. The shelter in Gravesend would hold an estimated 150 single men.
Demonstrators waved American flags and signs with the words “Help the homeless by creating jobs not building shelters!” and “No shelters near playgrounds or schools!” Other protesters held signs chastising Mayor Eric Adams, saying “You’re endangering our children, no homeless shelters here!”
Video of the protest showed cops trying to put up barricades to hold protesters back from trying to charge the construction site while workers boarded up the buildings. In a video posted on her Twitter page, Zhuang recorded herself yelling at an NYPD chief, claiming the homeless shelter was being built without the necessary permits.
“They do not have the permits,” she is heard yelling. “You can’t only protect the developer, that’s no public protection.”
She went on to claim Adams approved the construction of the shelter without the proper permits. Protesters said Adams approved the way for the shelter to be built in spite of public outcry to put it elsewhere.
“Is the mayor above the law?” she says on the video.
Video from social media seemed to show struggle between the police officers and protesters, including Zhuang, at the site. A spokesperson with City Hall said officers were trying to aid a woman on the ground and that Zhuang and other protesters grabbed the barricades and push them against the officers. When one of the officers tried to pull Zhuang away, she bit the officer and resisted arrest, the spokesperson said. Felix Tager, Zhuang’s spokesperson confirmed she was taken into custody at the rally, and said the council woman was trying to help an elderly woman “who was getting pushed into the barricade.”
Zhuang was escorted out of the 62nd Precinct station house in handcuffs and was released without bail after her arraignment. As she left the courtroom she showed her arms to members of the press, which appeared to have bruising on them.
Sarah Krissoff, Zhuang’s attorney, said the councilwoman suffered back pain and other injuries as a result of the arrest.
“She has some injuries on herself that we will document before she goes home today,” Krissoff said. “You should draw your own [conclusions] … we’re not making any allegations.”
Members of the police union said they had soured on the councilwoman who had previously supported law enforcement.
“We are extremely shocked by the reported violence against NYPD members at today’s protest in Brooklyn, especially because Councilmember Susan Zhuang has been a steadfast supporter of police officers during her time in the Council. There is never any excuse or justification for assaulting a police officer,” PBA President Patrick Hendry said in a statement.
Hendry said he wants Zhuang to face “full accountability” and a “fair investigation.”
Police Chief Chell said Zhuang’s position as a councilwoman does not mean her case will be handled any differently.
“Councilwoman Zhuang has been a great partner with the New York City Police Department for a long time, but the actions today of assaulting one of our police officers, deputy chief, by biting him viciously in the arm, I can’t explain it right now,” Chell said.
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About The Author
About The Author
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Liz Carey
Liz Carey has worked as a writer, reporter and editor for nearly 25 years. First, as an investigative reporter for Gannett and later as the Vice President of a local Chamber of Commerce, Carey has covered everything from local government to the statehouse to the aerospace industry. Her work as a reporter, as well as her work in the community, have led her to become an advocate for the working poor, as well as the small business owner.
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