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NYPD Officer Who Violently Pushed Woman In Viral Video Charged With Assault

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Nicholas Elias Contributor
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The NYPD officer who was seen pushing a woman to the ground at a protest was charged Tuesday with assault, criminal mischief, harassment and menacing.


The video was taken at a Brooklyn protest May 29. Other videos from the same protest showed NYPD officers beating and pepper spraying protesters.

The officer, now identified as Vincent D’Andraia of Brooklyn’s 73rd Precinct, surrendered directly to court for arraignment according to ABC7. (RELATED: Ohio Men Allegedly Caught Trying To Incite Violence At NYC Protest With Collection Of Weapons)

The victim Dounya Zayer said that after D’Andraia pushed her, she had a seizure and was hospitalized later both for the seizure and a concussion.

“I am in pain. My head hurts. I haven’t slept in three days. And I cannot stop throwing up,” said Zayer in a press conference obtained by NBC New York. “But I am trying everything in my power to hold myself together for the people who are depending on me to speak on the situation.”

New York City Police Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch was upset with the charges and called them “mob-justice.”

“Once again, Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD brass are sacrificing cops to save their own skin. They created the failed strategy for managing these demonstrations,” Lynch told NBC New York. “They sent police officers out to do the job with no support or clear plan.”

Prosecutors said Zayer was in the street when D’Andraia told her to move, per NBC New York. After Zayer asked why she needed to get out of the street, D’Andraia allegedly smacked her cellphone out of her hand and shoved her to the ground.

She was seen on video rolling on the street and into a curb as D’Andraia and other officers continued walking.

D’Andraia’s supervisor was also disciplined for not acting in the situation and was reportedly moved from the precinct, said NBC New York

“As District Attorney I cannot tolerate the use of excessive force against anyone exercising this Constitutionally guaranteed right,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement obtained by NBC New York. “This is especially true of those who are sworn to protect us and uphold the law.”