Mayor Bill De Blasio Urges Protesters To Call Out Agitators, Says Officers Using 'Kettling' Tactic Is Not Acceptable
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio is urging protesters to call out and avoid agitators after violence has broken out at several demonstrations this week.
Nineteen people were arrested during protests Thursday night.
Hundreds of people marched in Manhattan, many for different reasons, and while most were peaceful, there were some who clashed with police.
One officer was pushed to the ground with a chain pressed to his neck.
MORE -- NYPD: More Than A Dozen Arrested When Post-Election Protests Turn Violent For 2nd Night In A Row
"If you see folks among you doing violence or planning violence that have got chains or hammers or anything in their bag, you need to separate from them and you need to point out what they're doing because that's not what most protesters are about," de Blasio said Friday.
When asked about aggressive policing tactics, the mayor said video clips do not necessarily tell the whole story.
He said the tactic known as "kettling," where protesters are surrounded and prevented from dispersing, is not acceptable.
The mayor says the NYPD's goal should always be to de-escalate and use as little police presence as possible.
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