An op-ed written by Legal Aid attorney and member of the Black Attorneys of Legal Aid caucus Rigodis Appling published today in Truthout slams the NYPD for continuing its discriminatory and aggressive policing policy towards minorities even amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Appling notes a recent video depicting the arrest of a young boy in the subway for the crime of selling food on the train. The video has gone viral and stoked widespread criticism.

“This is not an isolated incident,” Appling writes, “this is a reflection of how the NYPD — and police departments across the U.S. — treat people of color. Throughout history, the U.S. has taught its citizens that the lives of Black and Brown people do not matter; and be it through broken windows policing, gang policing or other law enforcement endeavors, NYPD loyally abides by this rule.”

Read the full piece here.