The absurdity—and dangers—of the NYPD's new sizzle reels

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Support our nonprofit journalism]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     May 8, 2024 If you're looking for some afternoon entertainment...might I suggest these New York Police Department [sizzle]( [reels](? They're new, highly produced videos the NYPD put together that selectively recap their raids on encampments at universities throughout New York City these last couple of weeks. Some things about them are just absurd: the ominous music; the absurd clues they allege are proof that a "mastermind" is behind the encampments; and the description of protesters as "children" who lack "the mental capacity" of cops—even though city officials have been [alleging]( that it was "professional outside agitators" who were leading the protests. But, [as experts in police accountability told me](, these videos aren't just dumb—they're also dangerous. They allow the police force to portray themselves as heroic while leaving out inconvenient truths—such as the accidental firearm discharge an officer [made]( during the Columbia raid, or the scenes of chaos and force that [unfolded]( as police arrived on the scene. And more to the point, these videos come at a time when the NYPD has grown [increasingly]( [hostile]( [towards the press](. (They did not respond to a half dozen detailed questions I sent them for this story.) If police prioritize spending the time and money on producing highlight reels like these over providing accurate and transparent information to the press...that should worry all of us. [Read my full story]( to learn more about why you should be aware of "copaganda." —Julianne McShane Advertisement [House Bookshop Ad]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [The NYPD’s New Sizzle Reels Aren’t Just Dumb. They’re Dangerous.]( "This is copaganda, designed primarily to provide the mayor with political cover, but then also to show off the military might and alleged professionalism of the NYPD." BY JULIANNE MCSHANE SPONSORED CONTENT BY HEIFER INTERNATIONAL   Your Gift, Their Future: Generate 5X the Change! Heifer International is a global nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger and poverty. As families face rising costs, you can help them succeed. This month, a group of donors is matching every donation making your gift transform 5X the lives of families in need. [Don’t miss this limited-time match opportunity!]( [Trending] [“Antisemitism" vs. “anti-Semitism”: The style debate is settled, but the hate and harm are rising]( BY DANIEL KING   [We have some good news about cannabis research]( BY JACKIE FLYNN MOGENSEN   [Without heat protections, Florida laborers brace for a cruel summer]( BY MICHAEL SAINATO   [What you should know about Sen. Elizabeth Warren's "Build Green" bill]( BY MARIANNE LAVELLE Advertisement [House Donations Ad]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [A new police force chased a 17-year-old boy to his death. Then it vanished.]( The Crow Nation is still looking for answers. BY SAMANTHA MICHAELS MOTHER JONES MEMBERSHIP UPDATE   An important update on our finances We’re falling behind our online fundraising goals—and we can’t sustain coming up short on [donations]( month after month. It is [impossibly hard]( in the news business right now, and the [crisis]( facing journalism and democracy isn’t going away anytime soon. Neither is Mother Jones. Which is exactly why, despite the challenges we face, we just took a big gulp and [joined forces]( with the Center for Investigative Reporting, which creates the amazing podcast and public radio show [Reveal]( and other investigative projects. It’s going to be hard making it all work, and we simply can’t afford to fall behind our fundraising targets month after month. If you can part with even just a few bucks, [please support Mother Jones and investigative journalism with an urgently needed donation today](. And thank you so much to everyone who recently has. We’re grateful. [Donate]( Did you enjoy this newsletter? Share it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755