Updated Sep 3, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Demonstrators protest death of Black man restrained by police in N.Y.

Rebecca Falconer

Dozens of demonstrators in Rochester, New York, protested into the night Wednesday over an incident that saw police put a hood over the head of a Black man who died seven days later, per the New York Times.

Details: New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday her office was investigating the March 30 death of Daniel Prude. His brother said Wednesday he called police to say he was having a mental health issue. The family has called for the officers involved to be fired.

"I placed a phone call for my brother to get help. Not for my brother to get lynched. ... How did you see him and not directly say, 'The man is defenseless, buck naked on the ground. He’s cuffed up already. Come on.' How many more brothers gotta die for society to understand that this needs to stop?"

— News conference remarks by Joe Prude, brother of Daniel Prude

Of note: The Chicago man's autopsy ruled his death a homicide, arising from "complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint," Rochester First notes.

His face was pushed into the pavement for two minutes as police detained him, per the NYT.

What they're saying: Per ABC7, Rochester Police Chief La'ron Singletary said, "We do take this investigation seriously from day one. That morning I ordered a criminal investigation."

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Demonstrators protest death of Black man restrained by police in N.Y.

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