Four people were taken into custody on Wednesday following a rally for Robert Brooks at the Atlantic Avenue subway station, calling for justice in his death.

What You Need To Know

  • Four people were taken into custody on Wednesday following a rally for Robert Brooks at the Atlantic Avenue subway station, calling for justice in his death

  • In early December, Brooks was beaten by several correction officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York. He later died at the hospital

  • Brooks’ family has filed a federal lawsuit against staff at the prison not only for the beating but for failing to render aide

In early December, Brooks was beaten by several correction officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York. The beating was caught on officers’ body cameras. According to officials, Brooks later died at the hospital.

“Robert Brooks is a Black, incarcerated person, and his life matters. And that’s what we’re here today to say. Robert Brooks’ life matters, Robert Brooks’ life matters and we’re going to continue to be out here. This weather means nothing to us,” organizer Renny Smith said.

Protesters are demanding that the officers are fired and arrested. Protest organizer Kevin McCall says they also want the prison shut down.

“We’ll continue to be out here until those officers are arrested,” McCall said.

The four people arrested at the rally, including McCall, were given criminal summonses for theft of services after appearing to jump the turnstile at the Atlantic Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, according to officials.

Gov. Kathy Hochul called what she saw on the guard’s body cam footage, murder.

“This makes my blood boil to know what people did to this innocent human being,” Hochul said during an interview on “Inside City Hall.”

She’s calling for $400 million in investments, so every inch of a correctional facility is on tape.

“I’m totally disappointed at the governor. I’m totally disappointed at this process,” Assemblymember Edward Gibbs said.

Gibbs, who was once incarcerated, spent Tuesday night at the facility to see the conditions for himself.

“[Inmates are] still on edge about Robert Brooks,” Gibbs said. “The incarcerated individuals feel like there’s no safety mechanism in these institutions for them.”

Gibbs and dozens of other lawmakers are calling on the prison to be shut down. This as proposed legislation aims to tighten oversight and discipline for correction officers.

Brooks’ death is under investigation by the Department of Corrections Office of Special Investigations.

Meanwhile, Brooks’ family has filed a federal lawsuit against staff at the prison not only for the beating but for failing to render aide.