The police initially said in a statement that Gugino “tripped and fell” but after reviewing the video, Commissioner Lockwood said he decided to suspend the officers. The Erie County District Attorney Office also released a statement, confirming the ongoing investigative process.
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The Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said that the video “sickens” him. He tweeted Friday morning that Gugino was in serious but stable condition and said to be “alert and oriented.”
New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) also condemned the actions of the police officers in his Twitter post, after seeing the video.
“This incident is wholly unjustified and utterly disgraceful,” Cuomo tweeted. “Police Officers must enforce — NOT ABUSE — the law.”
Gugino has been identified as a longtime local peace activist from Amherst, N.Y. As an activist, Gugino has been involved in a number of social issues such as nuclear disarmament, climate change and Guantanamo Bay.