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Bloomberg: When I Said Cops Should Go On Strike, "I Didn’t Mean Literally Go On Strike"
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 24, 2012
Modified Jul 24, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 24, 2012
Modified Jul 24, 2012
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Last night, Mayor Bloomberg said on CNN that police officers should really demand stricter gun laws, "I don't understand why the police officers across this country don't stand up collectively and say we're going to go on strike. We're not going to protect you unless you, the public, through your legislature, do what's required to keep us safe." Today, Bloomberg tried to clarify his remarks, since cops going on strike is illegal and all.
At his press conference to discuss the economic impact of same sex marriage, Bloomberg said, "Well I didn’t mean literally go on strike because it’s against the law for them to do that. Keep in mind that it is police officers run into danger when most of us run out. Police officers also have families and they want to get home to them safely. And we're not getting any help from Washington from either side."
As for why cops would be effective, if they spoke out for stricter gun laws, Bloomberg pointed out, "Because they’re the ones who get killed! I have been to too many funerals for police officers in the past 10 years, and one is one too many... I don’t know why you have to ask the question! There are the people who are putting their lives on the line so we can be safe. And we have an obligation to make their dangerous job as safe as possible."
The Mayor suggested that cops "call their congressmen, call their senators, and say, 'My family wants me to come home. What are you doing to protect me? If you don’t do something, I’m gonna go work for your opponent.'"
Tagged
gun control
gun violence
mayor bloomberg
nypd
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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