Current:Home > BackCity councilwoman arrested for bringing gun to pro-Palestinian rally: NYPD-InfoLens
City councilwoman arrested for bringing gun to pro-Palestinian rally: NYPD
View Date:2024-12-23 16:47:07
A New York City councilwoman was arrested Friday after she allegedly brought a firearm to a pro-Palestinian rally at Brooklyn College, the NYPD said.
Inna Vernikov, a Republican who represents the neighborhoods of Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach, was seen and filmed at the Thursday rally with a handgun in her pants. Although the councilwoman has a concealed carry permit, she violated the recently passed city law that prohibits civilians from bringing firearms to protests, the police said.
"At no point in time was anyone menaced or injured as a result of her possessing the firearm at the earlier protest," the NYPD said in a statement.
Vernikov, a Ukrainian immigrant who has been a staunch opponent of Palestinian rallies, posted a video of herself at the rally on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming, "If you are here, standing today with these people, you’re nothing short of a terrorist without the bombs."
MORE: Israel-Gaza conflict stokes tensions as violent incidents arise in the U.S.
Her office did not immediately return messages for comment.
The police said that after they contacted Vernikov about her violation, she arrived at a Brooklyn police station along with her attorney and was charged with criminal possession of a firearm. She turned in her gun and permit, according to police.
The investigation is ongoing.
New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said in a statement that the council is investigating the incident and it will be referred to the council's Standards and Ethics Committee.
MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates
"It is unacceptable and unlawful for a civilian to ever bring a firearm to a rally or protest, and especially important for elected officials to model a respect for the law that is expected of all New Yorkers," Adams said in a statement.
Gov. Kathy Hochul responded to the incident on X stating, "New York's gun safety laws apply to everyone."
veryGood! (43)
Related
- College Football Playoff bracket: Complete playoff picture after latest rankings
- Karma is the guy in Indy: Travis Kelce attends Saturday night Eras Tour
- Alabama Mine Expansion Could Test Biden Policy on Private Extraction of Publicly Owned Coal
- Cheese village, Santa's Workshop: Aldi to debut themed Advent calendars for holidays
- John Robinson, successful football coach at USC and with the LA Rams, has died at 89
- Richard Moore executed in South Carolina after governor rejects clemency arguments
- Advocates, Lawmakers Hope 2025 Will Be the Year Maryland Stops Subsidizing Trash Incineration
- Dawson's Creek's James Van Der Beek Shares Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis
- Inter Miami's MLS playoff failure sets stage for Messi's last act, Alexi Lalas says
- Biden declares major disaster area in southeast New Mexico due to historic flooding
Ranking
- Detroit-area police win appeal over liability in death of woman in custody
- Love Is Blind's Marissa George Debuts New Romance After Ramses Prashad Breakup
- Cecily Strong is expecting her first child: 'Very happily pregnant from IVF at 40'
- Is pumpkin good for dogs? What to know about whether your pup can eat the vegetable
- Martin Scorsese on faith in filmmaking, ‘The Saints’ and what his next movie might be
- CeeDee Lamb injury update: Cowboys WR exits vs. Falcons with shoulder injury
- 2025 NFL draft order: Updated list after early slate of Week 9 games
- Lifting the Veil on Tens of Billions in Oil Company Payments to Governments
Recommendation
-
Birth control and abortion pill requests have surged since Trump won the election
-
TGI Fridays files for bankruptcy; restaurants remain open amid restructuring
-
Travis Kelce Shows Off His Dance Moves Alongside Taylor Swift's Mom at Indianapolis Eras Tour Concert
-
Indiana, BYU join top 10 as Clemson, Iowa State tumble in US LBM Coaches Poll shakeup
-
US Congress hopes to 'pull back the curtain' on UFOs in latest hearing: How to watch
-
2 Ohio officers charged with reckless homicide in death of man in custody after crash arrest
-
A presidential campaign unlike any other ends on Tuesday. Here’s how we got here
-
Video shows moment dog recognizes owner after being lost for five months in the wilderness