NYPD: Over 20 People Arrested After Attempting To 'Hijack' Peaceful Protest In Midtown
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Over 20 people were arrested Wednesday night after police say they tried to "hijack" a peaceful protest and cause destruction in Midtown.
The rally started off a peaceful gathering about counting every vote in the election, but as the night grew darker, other groups joined in and violence started, CBS2's Christina Fan reports.
One day after Election Night, the violence and unrest the mayor and police commissioner have been trying to avoid lit up near Washington Square Park.
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Video shows bicycle cops kettling demonstrators and dragging one protester through the crowd, both sides tussling in the street.
People threw garbage and eggs and even lit fires across the West Village. Officers hurried to extinguish them.
We support everyone's right to self-expression, but setting fires puts others at risk and will not be tolerated. We are working to de-escalate the situation near Morton Street in the West Village to prevent further damage from occurring. pic.twitter.com/4nTK6UUBzC
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 5, 2020
Multiple groups with varying messages had protests planned for Wednesday night.
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Numerous arrests were made near Union Square.
In a tweet, the NYPD said, "We have arrested more than 20 individuals who attempted to hijack a peaceful protest by lighting fires, throwing garbage and eggs in Manhattan."
We appreciate and value the importance of freedom of speech. Our top priority is and always will be safety. We have arrested more than 20 individuals who attempted to hijack a peaceful protest by lighting fires, throwing garbage and eggs in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/5SzZ6lDWEz
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 5, 2020
For most of the afternoon and evening, the marching was peaceful.
Demonstrators with Protect the Results made their way down Fifth Avenue with the NYPD escorting them, their message directed towards the president.
"I am here tonight because we want 45 to know that we are not going to stop until all votes are counted," protester Winsome Pendergrass said.
"There are facts and there is libel, and his claims have been false," Harlem resident Jon Carter said.
Police say several officers were injured after the violence broke out.
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