NYPD Used Instagram To Stalk BLM Protester, Lawsuit Says

NEW YORK CITY — Two days after Nicolle Besuden was arrested at a George Floyd solidarity protest, Deputy Inspector Elias Nikas approached her in the street and asked a terrifying question, a new lawsuit contends.Nikas wanted to know, just hours after Besuden posted pictures of the seaside to Instagram, “How was the beach?” Besuden, 33, has accused the NYPD of tracking her movements in the streets of New York and on social media in retribution for her continued participation in public protests, court records show.Find out what’s happening in New York City with free, real-time updates from Patch.Besuden’s attorney Tahanie Aboushi said the encounter with Nikkas —whose name is among 65 NYPD members with confirmed misconduct complaints linked to George Floyd protests — raises serious concerns about police surveillance of political protesters, who may be protected by statutes implemented decades before social media existed. “He intended to intimidate her, to harass her, to let her know she is being watched,” said Aboushi.Find out what’s happening in New York City with free, real-time updates from Patch.”I’ve handled many cases against the NYPD, but we’ve never come across this.” NYPD spokesperson Sergeant Edward Riley said in an email the department would not…
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