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NEW YORK (AP) — An airplane hauling a banner insulting New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (dih BLAH'-zee-oh) has been spotted flying above New York City.
The banner Friday read: "De Blasio, our backs have turned to you."
The message evoked behavior by some NYPD officers and police union leaders last week who turned their backs to the mayor at a hospital after two officers were fatally shot.
The officers' deaths followed protests around the country over the deaths of black men at the hands of white officers, and New York police unions have blamed de Blasio for allowing protests they say foster an anti-police sentiment.
Former officer-turned-activist John Cardillo said Friday that retired and current officers paid to have the banner flown.
A de Blasio spokesman called the banner divisive.
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