76-year-old Martin Gugino filed a lawsuit against the city of Buffalo and members of the city’s police force.
What We Know:
- During the Black Lives Matter protests on June 4, 2020, Buffalo Police forcefully pushed protestor Martin Gugino in Niagara Square. Niagara Square is famous for being a place for Buffalo citizens to exercise their right to protest. It has been the home of many Presidential visits and civil rights protests.
- On Monday, the lawsuit was filed stating that Gugino was unlawfully assaulted by Buffalo police. The officers involved in the lawsuit are Officers Robert McCabe, Aaron Torgalski (who were previously suspended), and John Losi. Also included in the lineup are Police Commissioner Byron C. Lockwood and Deputy Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
- After the incident, the Buffalo Police Department issued a statement saying Gugino “tripped and fell” during a “skirmish”. Shortly after that statement was issued, WBFO tweeted a video that clearly showed Gugino being pushed by Buffalo Police. Several officers walked past Gugino where he lay unconscious and bleeding on the ground. Gugino was treated at Erie County Medical Center for a concussion and fractured skull.
- The city is also arguing that Gugino broke curfew rules. To protect the protestors, Mayor Byron Brown set a curfew from June 2nd to June 8th during the hours of 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Buffalo Police Department was “instructed not to unnecessarily detain any person out for a legitimate purpose.” However, protesting crowds were broken up by police despite following the rules.
- Militarized officers began marching toward protestors. Out of concern for the other protestors, Gugino walked up to the officers to speak to them. The officers yelled, “push him, push him.” Which resulted in the incident seen in the viral video.
Martin Gugino was released from the hospital after four weeks and is continuing his recovery.
