3 Arrested After Violence Erupts Outside NYC Republican Club Event
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) – Three people were arrested in New York City following violent clashes after a speech by the founder of a far-right group, and police say they are reviewing video and may make additional arrests.
According to authorities, Finbarr Slonim, Kai Russo, and Caleb Perkins were taken into custody after police arrived at the Metropolitan Republican Club around 8 p.m. on Friday.
The violence erupted following a speech by Gavin McInnes, the founder of the male-only far-right group the Proud Boys, who describe themselves as "western chauvinists."
Videos posted on YouTube show clashes between the Proud Boys and groups that were protesting McInnes' speech.
New York City Public Advocate Tish James called for additional arrests in connection to the melee, and encouraged Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance to pursue hate crime charges.
"I am disturbed and disgusted by the videos I've seen of members of the neo-fascist, white supremacist Proud Boys group in hate-fueled mob violence in the streets of New York City," James said in a statement posted to Twitter. "New York will not become the next Charlottesville, and we refuse to let the actions of a hateful few define out City."
Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a statement calling for further investigation into the violence.
"Hate cannot and will not be tolerated in New York," the statement read. "Here's a message from a Queens boy to the so-called 'proud boys' - New York has zero tolerance for your BS."
The NYPD says it's unclear if the three men arrested were affiliated with either group, and added the department is reviewing video and will make other arrests "as warranted."
The NYPD is reviewing video & other evidence from last night to determine if other crimes were committed & if so, identify those perps and make arrests as warranted. Anyone with info/video pls call @NYPDTips 1-800-577-TIPS.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 13, 2018
There is no tolerance for violence anywhere in NYC pic.twitter.com/YjdzaoJbQE
Earlier in the day, police began a search for vandals who damaged and spray painted anarchist symbols outside the same Upper East Side club.
Two men were spotted at around 1:45 a.m. breaking windows at the club, which is located at 83rd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues.
The vandals sprayed anarchist graffiti on the door, glued locks shut and damaged a keypad entrance system before running away.
They also left a message at the scene promising more acts of violence.
"Our attack is merely a beginning. We are not passive, we are not civil, and we will not apologize," the message read.
It also denounced the conservative founder of a right-wing men's organization - who appeared at the club last night.
"This is an act of political violence done by cowards in the middle of the night," said New York Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox. "There's no doubt what they intended to do."
Cox said attacks on buildings can lead to attacks on people, and some of the same words in the statement - "we will not be civil" - were used by Hillary Clinton recently.
"We call upon Mrs. Clinton, we call upon Governor Cuomo, we call upon Senator Schumer, and we call upon Senator Gillibrand and all Democratic officials, whether elected or otherwise, to condemn this act of violence," Cox added.
Anyone with information or video of either incident is asked to call NYPD Tips at 1-800-577-TIPS.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)