Against the request of NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, officers continued their “act of disrespect” against Mayor Bill de Blasio by turning their backs against him. During the funeral for Officer Wenjian Liu today (Jan. 4), several officers engaged in the gesture during de Blasio’s delivering of the eulogy. Hundred of officers reportedly participated in turning their backs, a gesture signifying increased tensions between the NYPD and de Blasio after Officer Liu and Officer Rafael Ramos were killed in the Brooklyn shooting by Ismaaiyl Brinsley. During the funeral, Twitter users posted photos of the back-turning:
#NYPD cops turn their backs on Mayor @BilldeBlasio at Det. Wenjian Liu’s funeral, defying @CommissBratton‘s plea. pic.twitter.com/Kzmex1deSV
— Nicole Fuller (@nicolefuller) January 4, 2015
As de Blasio takes the podium at Wenjian Liu’s funeral, maybe half of the assembled cops turn their backs: pic.twitter.com/RiWcxZCN96
— Nick Pinto (@macfathom) January 4, 2015
100% trash RT @iN3RT_: No class, #MyNYPD pic.twitter.com/eVdjHLd1EM
— MyFeminismRealAF (@FeministaJones) January 4, 2015
“Let us move forward by strengthening the bonds that unite us, and let us work together to attain peace,” de Blasio said at Liu’s funeral. Watch footage of the officers turning their backs during his address above.