KNEE DEEP
Chicago police union boss warns cops will be KICKED OUT for kneeling with George Floyd protesters
THE union boss of Chicago’s police officers has warned any cops who kneel alongside protesters will be kicked out.
John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), said of cops who kneel with those protesting and racism: “I don’t believe it’s the time or place to be doing that.”
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“If you kneel, you’ll be risking being brought up on charges and thrown out of the lodge,” Catanzara said, .
Catanzara said such a move — to kneel with those who are protesting your actions — is basically an act of treason.
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“Specifically this weekend. This was about defunding and abolishing the police officers. And you’re going to take a knee for that? It’s ridiculous,” Catanzara said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has been critical of the union, said on Thursday: "There will be a reckoning for the FOP."
"And I think that moment is now and that's what I'll say about that."
Officers who are kicked out of the Fraternal Order of Police union will still be employed as a Chicago cop, but won’t receive the benefits and protections from the union contract.
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According to WFLD, Catanzara got in trouble in 2017 for posting a photo of himself online while he was in uniform and holding a sign that said he supports , gun rights, and standing during the national anthem.
He said that police officers who kneel are doing the same thing, but on the opposite end of the spectrum.
“Well that’s a . I want to see what happens on the department level. I’m going to guess nothing because the mayor supports this kind of stuff,” Catanzaro said.
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Protests have broken out across the US and world by those angry with the death of .
Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man, to buy cigarettes at a deli.
Former cop for nine minutes while arresting him.
Floyd died, and Chauvin has since been , as well as second-degree manslaughter.
![Lt Robert Cattani [closest to the camera] was seen kneeling in honor of Floyd](http://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2020/06/NINTCHDBPICT000588720507.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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"The conditions prior to the decision to take a knee were very difficult as we were put center stage with the entire crowd chanting," the cop wrote.
In the weeks after his death, officers and protesters violently clashed in cities throughout the country.
In , during a protest near Foley Square.
Moment NYPD lieutenant Robert Cattani kneels in solidarity with George Floyd protesters and then later apologised for it
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Lt Robert Cattani said he regrets his "horrible decision to give into a crowd of protesters' demands" and kneeling for Floyd after chants of “NYPD, take a knee” were aimed at cops.
"The conditions prior to the decision to take a knee were very difficult as we were put center stage with the entire crowd chanting," the cop wrote.
"I know I made the wrong decision. We didn't know how the protesters would have reacted if we didn't and were attempting to reduce any extra violence."
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