NEW YORK CITY, NY – A Black Lives Matter leader out of the New York City area reportedly made a spectacle of himself while turning himself into authorities earlier in October, as the individual allegedly decried the existence of “black faces of systemic oppression” while surrendering himself to police after allegedly assaulting a black man during a heated protest.
On October 27th, 48-year-old Walter “Hawk” Newsome, the founder of New York Black Lives Matter, turned himself in after allegedly punching and throwing a bullhorn at 66-year-old Manhattan Democratic District Leader William Allen during a protest which occurred on October 24th.
Reports indicate the protest pertained to Newsome being among several other activists opposed to Tiffany Fulton, a local nonprofit leader, having $10,000 in her community funding pulled. Having gathered outside the office of Councilman Yusef Salaam, the demonstration quickly devolved after Salaam’s mother, who was present for a separate press conference, confronted Newsome over his repeated hollering of her son’s name with a bullhorn.
Allen happened to be in proximity to Salaam’s mother as he was personally making his way over to converse with Fulton, but Newsome seemingly misconstrued his approach as being in tandem with Salaam’s mother and began verbally accosting Allen and accusing him of trying to, “put an old lady in front of me.”
Recounting the confrontation, Allen stated, “He basically assaulted me. He hit me in the chest, I backed up and as I’m backing up, he raised his arm and threw the bullhorn at my head. Thank God it missed me.”
Looking back on the situation, Allen said that if Newsome had apologized, he likely would’ve never gotten the police involved, but said, “He never did that, and that was it for me.”
Newsome had reportedly urged his supporters to rally outside the 28th precinct where he turned himself into authorities on October 27th, telling the ensuing crowd and press on site, “Recognize this as a step in the right direction. Not only do we fight racism – systemic, black racism - we fight the black faces of systemic oppression.”
The local activist went on to compare himself to Martin Luther King Jr. during his transfer into custody, saying, “Martin Luther King Jr. got locked up 26 times, right – 26 times for this. This is a sign that we are fighting.” Newsome also claimed his innocence during his surrender for charges of attempted felony assault, attempted misdemeanor assault and harassment.
Newsome’s reference to purported “black faces of systemic oppression” appears to have been a character attack of figures like Al Sharpton and Yusef Salaam, as the activist further claimed outside the police precinct, “I’m not even thinking about the charges. I’m thinking about Al Sharpton, Yusef Salaam, using the same justice system that they promised to fight against, against me.”
Fulton issued a statement in light of Newsome’s arrest, calling it an act of “political weaponization,” and asserting the activist was arrested for “speaking truth to power” while also seemingly accusing the victim, Allen, of inciting “chaos” and then hiding “behind police badges and political titles.”
On October 27th, 48-year-old Walter “Hawk” Newsome, the founder of New York Black Lives Matter, turned himself in after allegedly punching and throwing a bullhorn at 66-year-old Manhattan Democratic District Leader William Allen during a protest which occurred on October 24th.
Reports indicate the protest pertained to Newsome being among several other activists opposed to Tiffany Fulton, a local nonprofit leader, having $10,000 in her community funding pulled. Having gathered outside the office of Councilman Yusef Salaam, the demonstration quickly devolved after Salaam’s mother, who was present for a separate press conference, confronted Newsome over his repeated hollering of her son’s name with a bullhorn.
Allen happened to be in proximity to Salaam’s mother as he was personally making his way over to converse with Fulton, but Newsome seemingly misconstrued his approach as being in tandem with Salaam’s mother and began verbally accosting Allen and accusing him of trying to, “put an old lady in front of me.”
Recounting the confrontation, Allen stated, “He basically assaulted me. He hit me in the chest, I backed up and as I’m backing up, he raised his arm and threw the bullhorn at my head. Thank God it missed me.”
Looking back on the situation, Allen said that if Newsome had apologized, he likely would’ve never gotten the police involved, but said, “He never did that, and that was it for me.”
Newsome had reportedly urged his supporters to rally outside the 28th precinct where he turned himself into authorities on October 27th, telling the ensuing crowd and press on site, “Recognize this as a step in the right direction. Not only do we fight racism – systemic, black racism - we fight the black faces of systemic oppression.”
The local activist went on to compare himself to Martin Luther King Jr. during his transfer into custody, saying, “Martin Luther King Jr. got locked up 26 times, right – 26 times for this. This is a sign that we are fighting.” Newsome also claimed his innocence during his surrender for charges of attempted felony assault, attempted misdemeanor assault and harassment.
Newsome’s reference to purported “black faces of systemic oppression” appears to have been a character attack of figures like Al Sharpton and Yusef Salaam, as the activist further claimed outside the police precinct, “I’m not even thinking about the charges. I’m thinking about Al Sharpton, Yusef Salaam, using the same justice system that they promised to fight against, against me.”
Fulton issued a statement in light of Newsome’s arrest, calling it an act of “political weaponization,” and asserting the activist was arrested for “speaking truth to power” while also seemingly accusing the victim, Allen, of inciting “chaos” and then hiding “behind police badges and political titles.”
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments