PBA directs ad at war protesters

PBA President Patrick J. Lynch addresses the problem of protesters who are abusive to police officers in a 60-second radio commercial that will air on the city’s major radio stations from Monday, April 7th through Sunday April 13th.

“The behavior of some anti-war protesters towards police officers was horrible and unnecessary. The PBA wants to remind anyone involved in voicing their opinions that if it were not for the police officers controlling those demonstrations, they might turn into street brawls between different factions. New York City’s police officers play a very important role in guaranteeing freedom of speech for all Americans and they don’t deserve to be abused or targeted,” Lynch said.

The text of the commercial:

“I’m Pat Lynch, President of the New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. During recent protests against the war in Iraq, some people attacked New York City police officers as if it were our fault that we had to go to war. The PBA would like to ask those people to remember a few things. New York City police officers risk their lives everyday to protect you and your family from terrorism on the homefront. Hundreds more are on military service fighting the war. We ask you to remember that police officers play a critical role in allowing the expression of free speech, one of our most cherished rights as Americans. The reason you are able to protest is because of the police officer who is protecting your right to free speech. We are there to keep you safe from harm while you freely express your feelings and opinions as Americans and New Yorkers. The PBA asks you to support our police officers who risk their lives everyday to keep you and your family free and safe from harm. God bless America, the men and women of our armed forces and God bless our police officers who are the front line of defense here at home.”