Elderly protester shoved by Buffalo police has a fractured skull, is unable to walk

The lawyer for a 75-year-old protester shoved to the ground by police in the US city of Buffalo says his client remains in hospital with a fractured skull and unable to walk.

In this image, a Buffalo police officer shoves a man who walked up to police on Thursday, 4 June, 2020,

In this image, a Buffalo police officer shoves a man who walked up to police on Thursday, 4 June, 2020, Source: WBFO

A 75-year-old protester whose head was smashed on the pavement after he was shoved backwards by police has a fractured skull and cannot walk, his lawyer says.

Martin Gugino was protesting in the US city of Buffalo when he was pushed by the officers. A bystander filmed the entire incident.
Mr Gugino's lawyer has told media outlets in recent days that he was still in hospital and had not yet been able to walk.

Lawyer Kelly Zarcone said there was no change in his condition and that she expects only gradual improvement.

"While he is not able to walk yet, we were able to have a short conversation before he became too tired," she said.

"He is appreciative of all of the concern about him, but he is still focused on the issues rather than himself."
Ms Zarcone also passed along a message from Mr Gugino himself, who wanted to say: "I think it's very unnecessary to focus on me. There are plenty of other things to think about besides me."

Two Buffalo police officers were charged with second-degree assault after the widely shared video captured the incident on 4 June.

He was seen bleeding from his head as officers walked past him.
The officers, who could face prison sentences of up to seven years if convicted, have pleaded not guilty.

Mr Gugino was attending a Black Lives Matter rally in protest of police brutality in the wake of George Floyd's death during his arrest by Minneapolis police.

The video is one of several that have emerged in recent weeks showing police using seemingly excessive force against protesters.

Following the officers' suspension, 57 of their colleagues offered their resignations in protest.
The Buffalo-area retiree has been described by friends as a veteran peace activist driven by his Catholic faith and a desire for social justice.

The president's tweet was widely criticised and the accusations were dismissed by Ms Zarcone as "utterly baseless and ridiculous."


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