On March 2, the family of Allan Feliz and politicians including District 38 Council Member Alexa Aviles gathered outside of City Hall despite pouring rain to demand that Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Edward Caban fire police officer Jonathan Rivera. The officer shot and killed Feliz six years ago after stopping him because he thought he was not wearing a seatbelt.
March 2 would have been Feliz’s 36th birthday. The family members of others who were killed by members of the NYPD also attended and gave their support to Feliz’s family.
Feliz’s brother Samy Feliz said that even though his brother was pulled over for a potential seatbelt violation, officers later admitted that Allan was wearing his seatbelt. Members of the NYPD ran his ID and found he had three warrants against him. They tried to arrest him but he attempted to flee in his car. The police first used a stun gun and as Feliz continued to attempt to drive his car away, Rivera shot him in the chest, killing him.
In 2023, the Civilian Complaint Review Board ruled that police officer Rivera’s use of force was improper, as was his threat of force early in his encounter with Allan Feliz.
Samy Feliz has been fighting for justice for his brother since the shooting took place in October 2017. He previously spoke at an event in the Bronx about the How Many Stops Act, sponsored by Aviles.
That bill makes it mandatory for the NYPD to report on all levels of police street stops and investigative encounters, including where they happen, demographic information on the person stopped, the reason for the encounter, and whether the encounter leads to any use of force or enforcement action. It was passed by the NY City Council earlier this year.
The Mayor vetoed the bill, saying “the New York City Council has taken action today that, if implemented, will unquestionably make our city less safe.”
The Council then overrode the veto and the bill became law.
“You’ve already heard over and over again why we’re here,” Aviles said. “We should not be here today. The charges were substantiated. What Mayor Adams and Commissioner Caban did is an affront to democracy, an affront to public safety, and an affront to their oath to protect and serve.
“Do better. Do right. Do it now. Do the right thing. Deliver the charges. Fire this officer now and fire all officers who kill people and violently abuse their rights.”
In addition to his brother, Feliz’s sister, Ashley Verdeja, his mother, Mery Verdeja, and the mother of his child, Julie Aquino also spoke, many with tears in their eyes.
“It’s not easy to say how good Allan was, but we know exactly how great he was,” Ashley Verdeja said. “Allan wasn’t a party planner. He enjoyed good food and looked forward to time with family and good friends. That was what really mattered to him.
Instead of preparing his favorite meal or going to his favorite restaurant, we are here pleading to substantiate these charges. It’s been over four years.”
Glenn Carr, the mother of Eric Garner who was killed in 2014 by the police using a chokehold because he was suspected of selling loose cigarettes, also spoke. The officer who killed Garner was fired in 2019 though the other officers who were there at the time have kept their jobs.
“There is no justice,” said Carr. “Justice would’ve been if our children were alive. Now it’s about closure.”
The rally concluded with balloons being released in celebration of Allan Feliz’s birthday.
