2 officers in New York state charged with felony assault after shoving elderly protester

The officers were captured on video pushing Gugino, who then staggered and fell backward with his head hitting the ground. Blood was seen coming from his ear and no officer around came to tend him immediately.

Gugino was sent to hospital and remained in serious condition. The two officers were suspended without pay on Friday.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called the incident "fundamentally offensive and frightening" at Friday's briefing.

"You see that video and it disturbs your basic sense of decency and humanity," said Cuomo. "Why was that necessary? Where is the threat?