On the first anniversary of Win Rozario’s death at the hands of the NYPD, a solemn mood blanketed Lt. Frank McConnell Park in Richmond Hill, where a vigil was held Thursday for the 19-year-old who was shot and killed in his Ozone Park home by police officers. 

Rozario’s parents, immigrants from Bangladesh, continue to grieve and demand justice and accountability from the NYPD. 

“Which side are you on, my people?” an organizer for Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM) chanted. 

“Family’s side! Freedom’s side!” the crowd replied. 

“Justice is only given here to louder people,” a DRUM organizer yelled. 

The crowd was electrified, forming a semicircle around the podium and setting the tone for the remarks that followed from other victims of police violence and Win’s family. 

Last March, Win Rozario, 19, called the NYPD on himself when he was in mental distress inside his home in Ozone Park, Queens. His brother, Utsho Rozario, opened the door to lead the two officers up the stairs. Win allegedly “came at” them with a pair of scissors, and the officers escalated the situation by yelling and pulling out their guns. In less than two minutes, Win was dead on the kitchen floor. 

After the officer’s body camera footage was released last May, the officers can be seen tasing Rozario, then fatally shooting him four times as his mother hugged him tightly, desperately trying to shield her son. 

In the background of the body camera footage, his younger brother, Utsho Rozario, can be heard pleading with the officers. 

“Please do not shoot my mom,” Utsho said. 

A year later, the attorney general’s office is still investigating the incident. Mayor Eric Adams has said he would refrain from taking disciplinary action against the police officers until the investigation is complete. 

The family has, on multiple occasions, called on the officers to be disciplined and prosecuted with no response from the city or police department. 

“It’s disgusting they’re still collecting a paycheck,” Utsho said in his remarks. 

Win’s father, Francis Rozario, and mother, Notan Eva Costa, who both work at JFK Airport, spoke at the vigil. 

“My two children are like my two hands,” Notan Eva Costa said. “I didn’t want to speak today, but I had to because I want justice for my son.” 

After the vigil, the group, holding banners and handing out flyers, marched down the street to gather outside the 102nd precinct. Outside, around a dozen officers stood behind a barricade with cold gazes and their body cameras turned on. 

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was the only government official present at Rozario’s funeral last year. 

“No one has been disciplined; nothing has changed,” Williams said. “That makes no sense at all.” 

The Rozarios filed a civil suit against the city, however, they have stated their demands to ensure the officers are investigated and fired are far more important. 

“The money’s not going to bring him back,” Simran Thind, a DRUM organizer, said. 

DRUM is a community-based organization founded in 2002 that supports and mobilizes working-class South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities across the city. The organization’s activities include providing free meals, resources for undocumented immigrants and leadership programs for youth. The Rozarios are among the more than 5,000 members.

Mysha Naher, 20, who was present at the vigil and march, said that the fact that others feel disappointed and decided to show up anyway gives her hope. 

“Seeing all the aunties and uncles show up is really inspiring to me,” Naher said. 

Nahida Anjuman, 53, is a member of the Bangladeshi community in Jamaica, Queens, and a mother to a teenage boy. Anjuman said her belief in the rule of law inspired her to move to the United States. 

“The police are heroes for us, and when they’re acting like a villain, this is not fair,” Anjuman said. “Who will take care of us?”

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