Quentin Tarantino: NYPD union calls for boycott of directors films after protest against police brutality in New York

'New Yorkers need to send a message to this purveyor of degeneracy that he has no business coming to our city to peddle his slanderous Cop Fiction.’

The rally is part of a three-day demonstration against officer-involved abuse and killing (Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

Quentin Tarantino joined hundreds of demonstrators to protest against police brutality in New York over the weekend, leading to the head of the NYPD’s union calling for a boycott of his films.

The director - best known for the films Reservoir Dogs, Django Unchained and Pulp Fiction - had flown in from California to join hundreds of demonstrators.

Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolman's Benevolent Association, the largest union representing members of the New York City Police Department, spoke out against Tarantino’s involvement.

Quentin Tarantino participates in a rally to protest against police brutality (AP)

He said in a statement: "It’s no surprise that someone who makes a living glorifying crime and violence is a cop-hater, too.

"The police officers that Quentin Tarantino calls ‘murderers’ aren’t living in one of his depraved big-screen fantasies — they’re risking and sometimes sacrificing their lives to protect communities from real crime and mayhem.

“New Yorkers need to send a message to this purveyor of degeneracy that he has no business coming to our city to peddle his slanderous ‘Cop Fiction.’”

The group had gathered in Manhattan's Greenwich Village neighbourhood at Washington Square Park, then marched two miles along Sixth Avenue. Police officers lined the route, cordoning off traffic for the group.

"I'm a human being with a conscience,” Tarantino said. "And if you believe there's murder going on then you need to rise up and stand up against it. I'm here to say I'm on the side of the murdered.”

Protesters locked arms and marched down the street, using megaphones to tell stories of police brutality, while speakers called to bring justice for people killed by police.

Days before the protest 33-year-old officer Randolph Holder was shot dead two miles along from sixth avenue, his cousin telling the New York Post: "I think it’s very disrespectful. Everyone forgets that behind the uniform is a person.”

Tarantino reportedly acknowledged the "unfortunate" timing, but said the protest had to go ahead as people had travelled far to be there.

One such person was Temako Williams, whose son, La-Reko Williams, was killed by police in 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. A federal jury ruled that a the officer, who did not face criminal charges, had used excessive force, and awarded her 500,000 dollars.

"It wasn't worth the price of my son's life," she told AP. "It's a wound that won't heal.”

No arrests were reported on the day, which was organised by RiseUpOctober. Activist Carl Dix, who helped found the group, said that Mr Holder’s death did not effect the need to hold the rally.

"That's not what this is about,” he added. “This is about all the people who are murdered by the police.”