Some of the protestors
NEW CITY – Members of Rockland County government, law enforcement and a large crowd of supporters gathered outside the old county courthouse Wednesday to demonstrate their opposition to Governor Cuomo’s recent commutation of sentence for Judith Clark, the getaway driver for the Brinks’ robbery that took place in 1981 leaving three dead.
Family members of the victims – Edward O’Grady and Waverly Brown, both of the Nyack PD, and Brink’s security guard Peter Paige – along with other supporter, are initiating a call-to-action in the hopes of preventing Clark, a member of the Weather Underground, from being awarded parole 40 years prior to the end of her sentence as Cuomo’s commutation would allow.
County Executive Edwin Day said the Brink’s robbery was “Rockland County’s September 11th. Just like September 11th changed our nation, the Brink’s robbery changed Rockland County forever,” said Day. “We will never forget the day terrorists, with an ideology that made sense only to them, invaded our county.”
Clarkstown Police Officer John Hanshar, who is the nephew of Edward O’Grady, had harsh words for the governor.
“When the governor of your own state calls the woman who murdered your family member ‘impressive,’ it’s like pulling the scab off a wound that never healed. Shame on you, Andrew Cuomo,” Hanshar said.
According to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe, in 2014 the governor’s office informed the county of overwhelming support in favor of Clark’s commutation, but were given an opportunity to respond, unlike this time. Zugibe said they took that opportunity to present a full investigation of the event, including showing, “…that the narrative [Clark supporters] were trying to paint of Judith Clark was a lie,” and the commutation was cancelled.
Those opposed to Clark’s commutation this time around say the call-to-action will entail more than just the filling of the old courthouse steps, as they had Wednesday. They maintain they will continue to put in written submissions opposing Clark’s parole every time she applies for it. That will be a key part of their endeavor said Zugibe.
“It’s important that we collectively convey to the governor our disgust; and how are we going to do that; we’re going to have the opportunity every time she applies for parole, which is every two years, to voice our opposition,” said Zugibe. “Our call-to-action is going to be to all of you, that when this call comes out, to respond and to respond that she is not entitled to freedom at this time based upon her conduct.”
