Following Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s preliminary choice to not fireplace Lt. Jonathan Rivera, Allan Feliz’s household alongside a number of neighborhood organizations took to the streets calling for the officer’s firing on July 11.
The household and supporters gathered in entrance of the New York Metropolis Police Division Headquarters the Friday following Tisch’s choice, voicing their opinions concerning the choice and urging the commissioner to alter her thoughts. The choice got here as a shock to the household who obtained information of Tisch’s option to go in opposition to NYPD Deputy Commissioner Rosemarie Maldonado’s responsible verdict on July 3.
“It was a slap within the face,” mentioned Ashley Verdeja, Allan’s sister.
Numerous neighborhood organizations took a stand in opposition to Tisch’s choice, becoming a member of the Feliz household of their rally. Area people organizations spoke on the rally in assist in addition to authorities officers, together with State Senator Julia Salazar.
“Whereas Mr. Feliz’s household has been grieving his loss and combating for accountability, Jonathan Rivera bought away with homicide and bought a promotion. That’s not justice, that’s corruption. I’m calling on the commissioner to instantly reverse her choice, and fireplace Lt. Rivera,” mentioned Salazar in her speech on the rally.
Because the mayoral election approaches, the query of whether or not Tisch will keep in her job stays within the air. Democratic major winner Zohran Mamdani has thought of retaining Tisch as police commissioner if he’s elected. The Feliz household voiced their concern concerning Tisch’s potential retention.
“We simply assume that it’s a disgrace that she’s selecting to make that call, and that she shouldn’t be the following police commissioner when the November elections come round. I do know that there have been quite a lot of mayoral candidates which have talked about her and her work and her service to the town up to now, however I simply would point out to them to take a look at this example and the way she’s dealing with it,” mentioned Samy Feliz, Allan’s brother.
Group organizations together with the Justice Committee, had been a few of lots of the teams which were alongside the Feliz household since Allan’s demise. The household expressed their gratitude for the assist they’ve been given from the teams.
“The assist from the town is one thing that everybody desires, that everybody deserves as nicely. And particularly if it’s members of your neighborhood and organizations which might be extremely thought of and revered in the neighborhood, it’s much more significant,” mentioned Feliz.
Following the rally, the Feliz household and authorized advocates hand delivered a letter from the Civilian Criticism Assessment Board in response to the choice. Friday was the final day for the CCRB to ship a response. The household confronted preliminary issue delivering the letter to Tisch from the customer’s heart.
As soon as the letter was delivered, the household rallied round Metropolis Corridor. Although Friday was the final day for the CCRB to reply, Commissioner Tisch doesn’t have a deadline to overturn the choice. If the response doesn’t overturn the choice, the Verdeja says they are going to hold combating.
“We’re solely asking for justice, we’re solely asking for accountability. It shouldn’t be an excessive amount of to ask for, regardless of all of the hurdles and obstacles that we face. So we are going to proceed to discover what our subsequent choices are.”
