Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch has been tapped by New York’s attorney general to look into clashes between the New York Police Department and protesters rallying over the death of George Floyd.
Lynch led several investigations into police departments and potential misconduct while she worked at the Justice Department. State Attorney General Letitia James announced last month her office would look into police behavior after run-ins with protesters in recent weeks, according to the New York Post.
“The right to peacefully protest is one of our most basic civil rights, and we are working without rest to ensure that right is protected and guarded,” James said in a statement. “As we continue our investigation, I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to seek answers and accountability, and that includes calling on the sharpest minds to lend their expertise.”
Lynch was most notable in her investigation of the Chicago Police Department after the death of Laquan McDonald, finding that the department regularly used “unjustified” and “excessive” force.
“It is time to examine recent events to ensure that all New Yorkers receive truly equal protection under the law,” Lynch said. “I look forward to working with Attorney General James and her outstanding team on these important issues.”
Protests in recent weeks popped up across the country after Floyd was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis who knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes despite pleas that he couldn’t breathe. The protests escalated into violent incidents as protesters and law enforcement clashed in several cities.
