New York Gov. Cuomo falsely said NYPD officers hadn't hit peaceful protesters with batons. Here are the videos.

• Gov. Andrew Cuomo defended New York police officers at a Thursday press conference, saying they had not beaten any peaceful protesters with batons.
• That is false.
• There are plenty of incidents of the NYPD beating protesters on social media. Here are a few.

During a Thursday press briefing, Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York said police officers had not beaten peaceful protesters with batons.

That is false.

Asked whether he condoned the police violence against protesters, Cuomo told reporters the question was "a little offensive."

"A police officer doing their job, do you think there is any sensible police officer who believes their job is bludgeoning a peaceful person with a baton?" he said. "You see, it's that kind of incendiary rhetoric that is not a fact. It's not even an opinion. That is a hyper-partisan rhetorical attack."

New York City Police Department officers have bludgeoned peaceful protesters with batons numerous times, video footage on social media shows. Here are some examples:

—Sean Piccoli (@spiccoli) May 30, 2020

—Donald Martell says fuck the police (@DonnyMartell) May 31, 2020

—Josh Fox BlackLivesMatter (@joshfoxfilm) June 4, 2020

—Harls Barkley (@Harley_Putzer) June 3, 2020

A social-media search for "NYPD baton" turns up too many incidents of police beatings to list them all.

One montage of NYPD officers beating protesters showcases more than half a dozen incidents. In each one, each protester is being beaten by more than one officer at once.

—jordan (@JordanUhl) June 4, 2020

Armin Rosen, a journalist for Tablet magazine, said he was beaten with a baton before officers took his bicycle.

"Cops clubbed me and took my bike," Rosen, who visibly identified himself as a member of the press to the police, said on Twitter.

"Btw the clubbing was extremely professional—one swift strike right on the upper deltoid, didn't hit bone," he added. "I can feel about a 3-inch welt forming."

—Armin Rosen (@ArminRosen) June 4, 2020

Noah Goldberg, a journalist for the New York Daily News, filmed officers indiscriminately beating protesters with batons. "Cop hit me with baton when I was filming," he said.

—Noah Goldberg (@Noah__Goldberg) June 1, 2020

Ed Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, encouraged officers "not to hesitate" to use their batons.

"Each and every one of you to report for duty with your helmet and baton and do not hesitate to utilize that equipment in securing your personal safety," Mullins said in a statement on May 30.

• Read more:
• Voices captured on an NYC police scanner can be heard saying protesters should be shot and run over
• A New York police officer drew his gun on protesters. Mayor Bill de Blasio says he 'should have his gun and badge taken away.'
• Across America, police violently arrested and shot less-lethal rounds at journalists covering George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests
• George Floyd didn't resist arrest before 3 cops pinned him to the ground, witness says
• Minneapolis City Council members look to disband the police department as schools and other city agencies cut ties with police