DORAL, Fla. – About 25 protesters gathered outside the Police Benevolent Association headquarters in Doral on Wednesday, demanding an apology from the Miami-Dade PBA president over recent controversial comments he made while discussing police body cameras.
The county recently announced it will be implementing the first body cameras on police. John Rivera said he is not necessarily opposed to body cameras, but is opposed to the way they are being implemented in the county.
On Sunday, Rivera appeared on a talk show hosted by Miami-Dade mayoral candidate Raquel Regalado. During the interview, Rivera said he believes that current Mayor Carlos Gimenez "is so desperate to try to gain favor in the African American community, because they are the ones who are pushing this."
"John Rivera made comments toward the African American community as if we're like some pawns in a political game, and that's just not right," community organizer, Harris Harringan said.
"I think this community is misled," Rivera told Local 10 News. "I think this community is being told a bunch of lies. I want to see more money in those communities."
Rivera showed he had no hard feelings, bringing in pizza and water to the protesters and calling in officers to assist with traffic flow.
Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10