ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WKBW) — Protests continued in Rochester Thursday night into Friday morning over the death of Daniel Prude. Protest organizers called out the Rochester Police Department’s handling of those protests.
Both protesters and Prude’s brother, Joe, questioned why rubber bullets were used.
Our affiliates at WHAM13 in Rochester report Rochester Police said it was because protesters were shaking barricades.
“That thing last night, that’s a damn disgrace,” said Joe Prude. Protest organizers are now calling to disband the department and reallocate the money among other things.
“Gotta continue on with what we’re doing. No matter how much they keep getting violent, we started proving it, they’re not going to stop,” said Joe Prude.
A Rochester’s police union leader said he is concerned the union did not find out about the internal investigation and suspension of seven officers until Thursday.
“Like everyone else, we have concerns,” said union leader Mike Mazzeo. He continued, "The union was not aware of any concerns and were not made aware of any concerns that may have been raised by the family or anyone else until being made aware only minutes before the press conference Wednesday.”
The Attorney General continues to investigate Prude’s death.
