Asked today about the upcoming meeting, de Blasio told reporters, "I absolutely think they must denounce violence. I think everyone has to denounce violence."
He also said, "All protesters really have to take responsibility for the larger group they’re a part of."
Two police lieutenants were assaulted during a demonstration on the Brooklyn Bridge this past Saturday. One lieutenant suffered a broken nose. Police are looking for seven suspects and nine witnesses they say are linked to the attack.
De Blasio, speaking to reporters after an unrelated visit to Rikers Island, said, “You cannot talk about social change and then commit an act of violence against a police officer. It makes no sense. It denigrates the cause. It undermines the legitimacy. It’s illegal, it’s wrong, it’s immoral.”
Then the mayor reiterated a call he made last week for protesters to actively stop violence and cooperate with the police.