Opposing protests took place on the Ithaca Commons Sunday with one group supporting the structure of the city's police department as is, while the other group is advocating for change.

What You Need To Know

  • A rally supporting the Ithaca Police Department on Sunday was organized in response to the city's police reform plan

  • A counter protest formed on the Commons Sunday in favor of changes to the police department put forward by the city

  • The most drastic measure in the plan replaces the police department with a Community Solutions and Public Safety Department

Sunday's rally backing the Ithaca Police Department included a parade of vehicles and a presence on the Ithaca Commons, coordinated in response to the city's police reform plan. Rally organizer Rocco Lucente doesn't support the plan.

"[It] would put unarmed officers at risk by putting them in situations which would create a risk that they would be physically attacked by the people to whom they are responding, and would also create a great risk for the community. By being here today, we are demonstrating that people in this community reject this plan," said Lucente.

The most drastic measure in the plan replaces the police department with a Community Solutions and Public Safety department. One that the police chief and Police Benevolent Association have spoken against. The PBA made a statement on Facebook ahead of the rally, "This rally may detract from our message of collaboration with the police reform and the steps we've made with Common Council and the mayor."

In response to the rally, a counter-protest formed in support for making big changes at the police department.

"These people are required to engage with the community. And they have to do that with the way that the community needs. They can't do that the way that they want to," said Yasmin Rashid, of Ithaca.

Rashid said she doesn't fully support the whole plan.

"With the pieces that I do support, I feel like its a first step. As a BIPOC woman, I'm very clear on the fact that the way that structure wholeheartedly needs to be to really be conducive to all, is a long ways away," said Rashid.

The city will be finalizing the plan and submitting it to the state by April 1.

Spectrum News has requested an interview with Mayor Svante Myrick about the police reform plan and we are waiting to hear back on that request.

Community input on the proposal is still being accepted by mail, phone, and online.