The International League of Peoples’ Struggle - US stands in steadfast solidarity with the family of Eudes Pierre, and the New York Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NYAARPR) as they face an onslaught of police intimidation and repression.
In the early hours of Tuesday, October 20th, Jamie Kowalski and Daniel Koh were arrested in their respective homes by the NYPD. Both activists have been charged with misdemeanors of stalking and harassment, which was not made clear to either of them at the time of their arrest. Their alleged crime was posting flyers around the 71st precinct and the home of Conrado Abreu-Gerez, alerting the community that a killer cop was amongst them.
Officers Abreu-Gerez and Peter Lan murdered Eudes Pierre in December 2021. Pierre was a young Haitian man who called 911, asking for help, as he was in the midst of a mental health crisis. In response, the NYPD sent over two officers who shot him in the back.
NYAARPR has been fighting alongside the Pierre family for justice. They have demanded that the killer cops are not only fired, but arrested for this crime. In the past year, the campaign has escalated with monthly pickets outside the precinct where Abreu-Gerez works. After the September picket, officers followed 3 activists and harassed them. The arrests of Koh and Kowalski are an escalation of that intimidation.
ILPS-US views this new iteration of political repression and intimidation as the NYPD trying to exert control of the community they are ostensibly meant to keep safe. The NYPD has a horrific and terrible history of hurting the community instead. The League stands with all who fight against political repression!
Defend our Communities, Defend Peoples’ Struggles!
Fight State Repression!