A disability rights advocate in New York made a complaint to the State Police after he was allegedly shoved twice by state Sen. Kevin Parker in the state capitol building. The advocate, Michael Carey, approached the senator before a committee meeting to ask for his support on a piece of legislation. Parker became agitated when Carey described the legislation as addressing a discrimination issue similar to that experienced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Carey said Parker then yelled at him, grabbed him by the shoulders, and shoved him, causing him to stumble backward. This incident is just one in a history of violent behavior by Parker, who has been involved in physical altercations in the past.
Parker’s office did not respond to requests for comment, and the State Police confirmed that they had responded to a disturbance without providing further details. Parker has a history of violent incidents, including an arrest in 2005 for punching a traffic agent and having his pass for state buildings temporarily suspended. Former aides have also accused him of physical assault, although no charges were filed in those instances. In 2009, Parker was arrested again for chasing a photographer and damaging his camera, leading to a conviction on misdemeanor charges and a demotion from his position as majority whip.
Despite these incidents, Parker has remained in office and continues to face criticism for his behavior. Last year, he was accused in a lawsuit of raping a woman, a claim he denies. Carey had sought Parker’s support for legislation requiring staff in state and private facilities to report suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable individuals to a 911 operator. The lawsuit against Parker is still pending as the advocate continues to push for change in the system. Carey’s advocacy work began after his son Jonathan died while in state care, driving his passion for improving protections for vulnerable individuals in New York.
The incident involving Parker and Carey highlights the ongoing issue of violence and misconduct in politics and government. Despite calls for accountability and consequences for his actions, Parker has faced minimal repercussions for his history of violent behavior. The lack of response from Parker’s office and the State Police raises concerns about the handling of such incidents within the government. As the advocate continues to push for change and justice for victims of abuse and neglect, the spotlight remains on lawmakers like Parker and their responsibility to uphold the law and protect all individuals, especially those in vulnerable situations. The lawsuit against Parker serves as a reminder of the importance of holding those in power accountable for their actions.
