Community News
Sunday, September 18, 2011

[IMG]http://manhattantimesnews.com/images/09-21-11/Collado2-WEB.jpg[/IMG]

Hundreds of local residents gathered to show solidarity in a “March for Justice” this Sat., Sept. 17th to honor the memory of John Collado, an Inwood man who was shot and killed by a plainclothes police officer from the 34th Precinct, and to demand a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Story by Gloria Pazmiño and Debralee Santos

Photos by Gloria Pazmiño

Hundreds of neighborhood residents, family members, and friends gathered at the corner of Post Avenue and Dyckman Street on Sat., Sept. 17th to peacefully protest the recent shooting death of Inwood resident John Collado by an undercover police officer from the 34th Police Precinct.

Led by the surviving members of his family, which included his wife, children, his grandchild, and nieces, the “March for Justice,” as it was named by organizers, made its way from Collado’s residence on Post Avenue to the 34th Precinct on Broadway.

Michael Jiménez, a childhood friend of Collado, explained that the group had planned to march a week prior, but lacked the permits needed. They were not deterred.

“When I heard the horrible news [of Collado’s death], I couldn’t stand by and do nothing to help this wonderful family,” he explained. The permit in hand, the word went out to local residents with posterboard signs taped throughout the neighborhood, word of mouth, and on social media.

Holding red heart-shaped balloons that read, “John Collado: In Our Hearts Always,” residents marched while shouting, “Justice for John Collado Now!”.

“This is a peaceful demonstration. This is not against police officers,” stressed Maria Collado Wright, Collado’s sister. “We just want them [the police] to treat this as if a cop had been killed, just like they would treat a brother who had fallen. I want to them to do the same for my brother. We demand the same investigation, like the victim that he was.”

Collado was shot on Sept. 6th when he intervened in what police allege was a drug bust near his residence. According to police, Collado approached a plainclothes detective who was struggling to subdue a suspected dealer and placed the officer in a chokehold, leading to a struggle between the two men that left Collado shot and killed by the police officer.

Since his death, a suit against the NYPD has been filed by the family. Legal counsel for the family has argued that Collado was merely trying to break up what he believed to be a street fight. They have also questioned the claim that the police officer properly identified himself as law enforcement or that Collado ever choked the officer.

As Jiménez, an Inwood resident for over 30 years who can recall his altar boy days with Collado at St. Jude’s Church, puts it, “What we want is a thorough, non-biased investigation. We want the truth to come out. We don’t want John’s good name compromised.”

Wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Collado’s photo and the words “Rest in Peace” in the front, and “Justice for John Collado” in the back, the marchers were comprised of a mix of young adults and older neighborhood residents. As they made their way to the precinct, the marchers shouted, “¡La lucha sigue; Collado vive! [The struggle continues; Collado lives].”

Nearly 20 NYPD Community Affairs officers marched along the family and directed traffic as the crowd moved onto Broadway.

Using a megaphone, the marchers issued calls for police officers to become more sensitive to the community they serve. They repeatedly referenced Collado as a law-abiding resident who believed in law enforcement.

“This is not about bashing the 34th Precinct or the NYPD,” explained Jiménez. “But we want everyone to know that he was a good man who was taken prematurely from us….We just want to know what happened.”

As the crowd arrived at the 34th Precinct, a barricaded area had been set up across the street from the precinct’s main entrance. It was, by turns, a solemn and emotional gathering, with some family members weeping openly. Speaking to the crowd before a prayer, Jiménez said that they wanted to send out a message to NYPD.

“We want police to know we need them and respect them, but we also need them to understand our needs, and respect us,” said Jiménez.

Standing next to his sister, and holding Collado’s grandson, John Collado Jr., 22, spoke about the father he’d lost earlier this month.

“My father was a good man. He was a funny, smart guy who everyone liked; he took care of his people and his family,” said Collado, Jr. “My father had respect for the NYPD.”

[IMG]http://manhattantimesnews.com/images/09-21-11/Collado2-WEB.jpg[/IMG]

Gathered behind barricades in front of the 34th Precinct on Broadway, family members and friends expressed their grief.

The 34th Precinct’s Commanding Officer Barry Buzzetti observed the crowd from Broadway as it gathered behind the barricades.

“We’re here to work with the community, [and] it was clear that this was a peaceful gathering that spoke for itself,” said Buzzetti, who declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.

After encouraging neighborhood residents to become active in community and safety meetings, Jiménez reiterated the need for change.

One marcher, who declined to give his name, was angered by what he called the “disconnect” between local police officers and community residents. “They are more willing to see as suspects or troublemakers than hard-working, serious people,” he said. “It has been going on for years here in Washington Heights. It has to stop.”

“We understand that mistakes happen, but we don’t hear the NYPD coming out to say they made a mistake,” said Jiménez.

Afterwards, he noted, “This is a job that requires split-second decision-making so that lives aren’t taken without merit…We demand an investigation; until then, this community will not trust.”

Gathered behind barricades in front of the 34th Precinct on Broadway, family members and friends expressed their grief.

Source: http://manhattantimesnews.com/2011/residents-join-in-march-for-justice-in-response-to-shooting-death.html

*Manhattan Times the bilingual newspaper of Washington Heights and Inwood

Source: http://manhattantimesnews.com/2011/residents-join-in-march-for-justice-in-response-to-shooting-death.html

*Manhattan Times the bilingual newspaper of Washington Heights and Inwood

Very tragic indeed.........

I believe this was a simple mistake gone wrong, which turned into a complicated tragedy.

My sympathy for the family and friends of Mr Collado........