A Democratic council member from New York City is now voicing her concerns about the NYPD, accusing them of “brutality” and “Asian hate” subsequent to an incident during a protest where she reportedly bit a police officer, breaking his skin.
Susan Zhuang faces charges for allegedly biting a deputy police chief while protesting a proposed homeless shelter in her Brooklyn district. She is confronting a felony charge of second-degree assault, along with several misdemeanor charges, including assault, unlawful assembly, obstruction of governmental administration, and resisting arrest.
“The NYPD’s use of excessive force was unjustified. I was deeply disappointed. There is no tolerance for brutality or mistreatment of citizens by any officer. Police brutality is unacceptable. The misuse of law enforcement is unacceptable. Inflicting physical harm on innocent citizens is unacceptable,” Zhuang stated last week.
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NYC councilmember bites NYPD Deputy Chief Frank DiGiacomo. (Getty | NYPD)
“Many individuals within the Asian community have encountered excessive enforcement and mistreatment by the NYPD. Any form of Asian hate must cease,” she added.
The council member maintained that she was attempting to assist an elderly woman who had become trapped in a barricade at the time of her arrest.
“I was trying to help her, and two police officers handcuffed me from behind, each taking one of my arms. An officer was yanking my hair while another held my neck,” she recounted.
During a Fox 5 interview, Zhuang became emotional, stating that the 80-year-old woman she tried to help reminded her of her grandmother. She also displayed bruises on her arms.
A released image of the deputy chief who was bitten, Frank DiGiacomo, revealed a severe bite mark that had penetrated his skin.
At the time of her arrest, Zhuang was participating in a protest against the establishment of a homeless shelter in her southern Brooklyn district. Activists voiced concerns that it would jeopardize public safety, advocating for affordable housing instead. The protest resulted in confrontations with police, during which Zhuang was accused of assaulting a deputy police chief.
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In New York City, if a council member is convicted of a felony, they automatically face expulsion from the city council, as mandated by state law. Typically, this expulsion occurs immediately upon felony conviction, irrespective of the nature or severity of the offense.
Democratic council member Susan Zhuang allegedly bit NYPD Chief Frank DiGiacomo. (NYC Council | Adobe Stock)
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Furthermore, the city council has an internal process through the Committee on Standards and Ethics to investigate and suggest disciplinary measures against members involved in misconduct, regardless of felony conviction status.
“Councilwoman Zhuang has been a strong ally of the New York City Police Department for quite some time,” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell stated during a press conference. “However, the actions taken today, such as assaulting one of our police officers, specifically a deputy chief, by viciously biting him on the arm, are beyond explanation at this moment.”
Zhuang and the NYPD have been reached for comments.
