NYC Councilmember Susan Zhuang, arrested for biting cop, has charges dropped
Susan Zhuang, the New York City Councilmember arrested for biting a cop at an anti-homeless shelter protest, had her charges dropped Tuesday after she went through a restorative justice program.
Zhuang, a first-term conservative Democrat, was charged with biting NYPD Deputy Chief Frank DiGiacomo in the arm, drawing blood, during a July 2024 protest against a planned homeless shelter in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.
The program, run through Brooklyn Justice Initiatives and the Brooklyn DA's office, brought Zhuang and DiGiacomo together to have a constructive conversation about the incident, in addition to sessions before and after.
'This case was resolved through a restorative justice process that created space for dialogue, accountability, and healing,' a spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorney's office said in a statement. 'It was based on the wishes of the victim and the defendant's willingness to make amends. This is exactly what restorative is meant to do — address harm, foster understanding, and support a path forward.'
Zhuang, a member of the Republican-majority Common Sense Caucus, has aligned herself with the NYPD and was endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association in 2023.
'It made the most sense for both sides to resolve the case this way,' Jerry Goldfeder, Zhuang's attorney, told the Daily News.
The councilmember was charged with felony assault, resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration after her arrest at the 6 a.m. protest. She pleaded not guilty, arguing that she had been protecting an elderly woman.
Zhuang has received community support after the arrest, with locals staging a parade in her honor shortly after her arrest. Her legal defense fund opened to help cover expenses raised $66,000.
The City Council opened an investigation into the incident last year, but paused proceedings until her case was sorted out in court.
The case is sealed and won't remain on her record.
Goldfeder noted that Zhuang, who is up for reelection this year, faces no primary and 'no opponent on either the conservative, Republican or Working Families line.'
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Washington Post
16 minutes ago
- Washington Post
How a Democrat turned independent could shake up a key governor's race
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USA Today
20 minutes ago
- USA Today
Trump's mass deportation scheme is an insult to all of us
Trump's mass deportation scheme is an insult to all of us | Opinion This is not the America immigrants who actually contribute to society, have the right documentation, show character and continue to play by the rules of the nation's immigration process deserve. Show Caption Hide Caption Trump administration detains Vietnamese who came as refugees after war After the Vietnam War ended 50 years ago, Republican and Democratic administrations shielded refugees from deportation. Donald Trump is changing that. As a nation, we shouldn't have to worry about a young man like Esro Garcia Mendez, the son of immigrants and a first-generation high school graduate in Florida's Palm Beach County. Mendez' character is evident. Instead of celebrating with friends after receiving his diploma, he rushed to HCA Palms West Hospital to be with his ailing father. Imagine a father's joy in sharing such a special moment. 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USA Today
20 minutes ago
- USA Today
Pride month could be a balm, says bishop Trump blasted over LGBTQ sermon
Pride month could be a balm, says bishop Trump blasted over LGBTQ sermon Show Caption Hide Caption Trump demands apology from bishop after prayer service plea President Donald Trump attacked Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde for remarks she made during the inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral. WASHINGTON ‒ Despite being attacked by him online, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde said she would meet with President Donald Trump if it would lead to a meaningful discussion about protecting the rights of LGTBQ communities. 'I would love to actually have a real person-to-person conversation about the things that matter. I'm always open to that," Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, told USA TODAY. Trump was upset by Budde's sermon during his Jan. 21 inauguration prayer service urging him to 'have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now." 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These are the values that we want to stand for and that's who we are as a church, that's who I am as a bishop, that's who my fellow Christians are in the denomination I serve. I'm really proud.'' There was also plenty of criticism. She expected that. Their differences aren't new. Budde slammed Trump in 2020 when he held up a Bible in front of a church near the White House during protests over the death of George Floyd. Still, Budde said, she's 'concerned about the resurgence of rhetoric that target LGBTQ people.'' This conversation with Budde, 65, the first woman elected to her post and the author of 'How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith,'' has been shortened for clarity and brevity. Pride month celebrations Question: Is there anything in particular during this Pride Month that you hope the public and politicians work to protect or push back against? Answer: Pride historically has been this celebration and also an opportunity for churches like ours to witness and to say, 'Hey, we want to celebrate you, the fullness of humanity, God's love for all children' … This year is there a poignancy or urgency to that? I would say so because it feels as if there are some values, some accomplishments, some strides that are being called into question and a fairly aggressive effort on the part of many to take away some of the things that have been so hard fought for. It's both a time of celebration and a reminder that this is who we are, and these are our beloved and this is who we stand with. You've been an advocate for LGTBQ rights for a long time. What drove you to this work? All of this was coming on the heels, frankly, of the churches' ordination of women. They did not ordain women officially until 1979. I was ordained in 1984 … I was hearing a lot of the same arguments both theologically and sociologically that had been used against women and against Blacks in the church. It did not ring true to my experience. And there was a lot of great theological and Biblical work being done in support of full inclusion, affirmation and expansive views of God's love of diversity and the unconditional celebration of all human beings. Pride Month is celebrated every year, but as we talked about some people feel this climate is more toxic. What do you hope happens going forward? I pray that it is a really joyful, inspiring gathering where people feel safe, where they feel seen, where they feel supported, where they can laugh and learn. Maybe it is a good antidote to some of the meaner rhetoric that has been unnecessarily hurtful. And just be a balm for people. We all need that. Coping with the cultural divide You said you've received a lot of affirmations and positive responses to your sermon in January, but I'm sure you received negative ones too. How did you take them? I actually think the cultural divide has been fueled and amplified by the forces in our society that want to keep us divided and that are looking for ways to divide us and also to inspire fear where there should be no fear. That's been hard. In your sermon, you called for President Trump to have mercy on different communities, including the LGBTQ community. Do you think that has happened in the months since he took office? There seems to be a lot to be gained by keeping us divided and to project really false statements onto whole groups of people. That has not stopped, which is just worrisome and a bit heartbreaking. This is not for me, a partisan thing … but I do want to constantly stand for and remind people of the values that are bedrock to me as a person of faith, but also to our country and to emphasize that we have far more in common with one another than we differ. More: President Trump seethes at 'nasty' bishop who told him to 'have mercy,' demands apology When is it time to apologize? Trump called on you to apologize. Do you have any regrets about anything you said or did that day? I'm human. I'm constantly second-guessing myself. Could I've done something better? Could I have said it better? Could I have built a bridge? I couldn't bring myself to apologize for what I felt was the gospel. I was very much in my lane as a spiritual leader in a spiritual context, speaking about what we need in our country if we truly are to be united. Are you saying you would meet with President Trump? To further the good of what we need to do I would welcome it. In my work you respect the dignity of every human being and try to listen to find whatever ground you can upon which to build something together … I would never shut the door on a real conversation. Has an invitation been extended either way? No. I don't operate in those circles. Most of my job is with congregations. I'm not partisan. But when they come to our house and they invite us to pray, we pray. And if I were ever invited into any other spaces, I would gladly go and go with an open heart. Politicians acting in the name of God What do you say to Christians who have left the church because of things politicians have done in God's name? I understand the grief and pain of that. I wish I could assure them that if the image of God that they're carrying as a result of that is of a cruel and judgmental and angry God, that that is not the God that I believe in or worship and that there is always love and mercy and goodness at the heart of God.
