New York mayor calls for "pause" in protests after murder of officers

(Vatican Radio) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday called for a pause in protests and political debate over recent controversial police enounters which led to the deaths of unarmed suspects, until after the funeral of two New York police officers murdered on Saturday.

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“I think it's a time for everyone to take stock that there are things that unite us, there are things that we hold dear as New Yorkers, as Americans,'' de Blasio said.

Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were ambushed Saturday afternoon by a Ismaaiyl Brinsley, who killed himself after the attack.

The police unions blame the mayor for fostering anti-police sentiment,  and even before the weekend shooting had circulated a petition to ban the mayor from attending police funerals.