Via WSJ:
Staff members at a Bronx public-defenders organization took part in a rap video advocating the killing of police officers and later attempted to mislead city officials about the organization’s involvement, according to the New York City Department of Investigation.
In a report released Thursday, the DOI said two staff attorneys at the Bronx Defenders—a nonprofit group that receives public funds for its advocacy and legal representation for indigent defendants—appeared in a video called “Hands Up,” in which men are shown pointing a gun at an individual portraying an officer.
The two lawyers had encouraged the organization to participate in the music video after being approached by the company producing the video, according to the report.
The Bronx Defenders’ offices appear in the video and its name appeared as a sponsor in the credits in an earlier version of the video, city officials said.
Once it was discovered and the city started investigating, then members of the organization purportedly lied to the investigators.
Not only is this organization funded by NYC taxpayers, but it’s also American taxpayer funded through an Eric Holder Justice Department grant. According to New American, the DOJ gave this organization $1.5 million.
So here’s a question, since Bronx Defenders were featured in the video and listed as a ‘sponsor’, how much DOJ grant money/NYC taxpayer money was funneled toward this film? Was this film part of the grant money given them?
The DOJ grant was allegedly part of an Edward Byrne Memorial Assistance Grant. Edward Byrne was a young NYPD officer who was assassinated on the job as he stood watch over a man who had been threatened.
The primary concept of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program was established via the Department of Justice is to enhance officer safety via equipment, technology and training.