after a video showed a 75-year-old man getting shoved to the ground at a George Floyd protest on Thursday night were charged with second-degree assault, according to NBC affiliate WGRZ in Buffalo.
A large crowd of police officers and firefighters stood in front of Buffalo City Court to show support for the officers as they both attended a virtual arraignment on Saturday. Officers Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski pleaded not guilty to the charges of second-degree assault and will be released on his own recognizance.
The now-viral video shows longtime social justice activist Martin Gugino, 75, approaching a large group of officers in tactical gear and saying something. The officers yell for him to move back before one appears to push him. Gugino then stumbles backwards and falls. Seconds later, a pool of blood can be seen near his head. The incident occurred shortly after the city's 8 p.m. curfew,Gugino was taken to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo and was in serious but stable condition.
As of Saturday, Gugino is still recovering at the hospital and is reported to be"alert and oriented" according to his attorney,
WGRZ Vote for those who support higher vetting standard for people who are being hired as Police,,,,,,,! ` 'nip in the bud',,,,,,, Dont hire Thugs as police to start with!
WGRZ good! I hope they do major time! horrible people! they deserve to be in jail
WGRZ Thank You To all the people that go out to protest Feeling the Love ..so thankful ❣
WGRZ Best news all day. geronsociety AARP AARPadvocates AARPNY
WGRZ Stop blurring faces & the aftermath. THIS is the reality that is faced by millions & covering it up will not make it go away or change it. The warning is enough. Look away if you can't deal with it but THIS IS WHAT SOME POLICE ARE DOING. EVERYDAY.
WGRZ This is exactly what needs to happen!
WGRZ We're still waiting for the mayor of Los Angeles to make a statement on this one single cruel act of its officers. He needs to ask that cop what the fuck he was thinking when he pointed his gun at his face and pulled the trigger!
WGRZ Cities nationwide need to completely reorganize how policing works. No more riot gear. No helmets. Fewer cars. Use bicycles or walk the streets just like the old days. Every cop must be reassessed every year just like airline pilots are.
WGRZ Can msnbc anchors stop saying no one came to this man’s aid. He is treated immediately by national guard members right behind the police lines (proper procedure). This video shows how hard his head hit and what actually occurs.
WGRZ Well that great news now make sure the 57 other officer know that the are not above the law and will he held accountable
WGRZ
WGRZ With luck, these officers will be 75 some day. Is this how they want to be treated?
WGRZ He was shoved back he tripped its was horrifying but it wasn’t as if they were actually trying to hurt him!... I hope the whole department resigns
WGRZ Good! But there won’t be outrage about this as much because the gentleman was white. Glad they were charged. That is Justice.
WGRZ The other 57 should take charges in solidarity.
WGRZ He tall
WGRZ Now charge every single one of their colleagues who pushed out the bullshit story of the man slipping and falling.
WGRZ Federal & state law enforcement agencies are at crossroads: between dealing with institutionalized racism & protecting officers Legitimately discharging their sworn duties
WGRZ he looked like he faked that,,like in wrestling,,probably was wanting a lawsuit
WGRZ Where is accountability, integrity and professionalism in policing? That's the problem, it doesn't exist.
WGRZ And you know what the sad part is when the other police officer was trying to help and the other police officer pull him up not to help the old man that hurted me the most and pushing that old man down on the ground I lost my best friend from brain dead from that
WGRZ Good. Now fire them.
WGRZ Once they walked away from a man laying on the ground bleeding from his ear they lost all credibility. If the ERT is staffed with so many soulless men & women it should be dissolved & a new group comprised of mature & empathetic officers should be formed in its place.
WGRZ That old man had plenty of time to move and was being an agitator. He got what was coming to him. Dont think the charges will stand.
WGRZ I guess the 57 “officers” who resigned in protest will retract the resignation and apology publicly now that a crime has been committed and charges laid right BPDAlerts
WGRZ What cowards doing that to a 75 year old man. Absolutely disgusting.
WGRZ Good! Now fire the 57 that went out in their support!
WGRZ Please. Size of him to them. Load of bullshit. He knew what he was doing. Sacrifice the few for the power of the many. 🖕
WGRZ Drain the swamp!
WGRZ Maybe don’t want at police line if you’re 75 ffs
WGRZ Excellent! “I hate Buffalo Nazis.”
WGRZ i hope all57 quit in protest
WGRZ Goes to show its not a racism towards blacks thing—it’s a power-tripping police thing
WGRZ Lots of police are going to be sacrificed in the coming weeks...
WGRZ Hot diggity dog 😁👍🎉🍾🎊!
WGRZ And they can get fired now to.
WGRZ Abuse of power paid off well