Protesters Hit NYC Streets After Ferguson Decision; Arrests And Injuries To Officers Reported
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The announcement in Ferguson, Missouri Monday night that a grand jury has decided not to indict Darren Wilson the police officer involved in the shooting death of Michael Brown -- sent protesters on the move in New York.
In Union Square, several hundred people who had gathered to watch the announcement began marching peacefully. They chanted "Hands up, don't shoot'' and held up signs saying, "Black lives matter'' and "Jail killer cops.''
Some protesters went on to march northward to Times Square and later Columbus Circle, and north through the Upper West Side on Broadway. The protesters broke through barricades in some areas.
"I think that it's a shame. I think that we need some changes in the system, because obviously, cops are killing people, they're abusing their powers, and the system is entirely corrupt," one woman told CBS2's Tracee Carrasco.
"They got away with Trayvon Martin and all these other youth that was killed," a man said. "I'm not surprised, but the fight just never stops."
During the protests, Twitter photos indicated that police Commissioner Bill Bratton was sprayed with fake blood during protests in Times Square.
Police told CBS2 they were aware of the incident, but could not immediately confirm any information.
Protesters Hit NYC Streets After Ferguson Decision
Police said there were a number of arrests, but could not immediately confirm how many. They also said an unspecified number of police officers had suffered minor injuries.
Meanwhile at his National Action Network Headquarters in Harlem Monday night, the Rev. Al Sharpton said the decision was an "absolute blow."
As 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported, Sharpton was joined Monday night by the family of Eric Garner, a Staten Island man killed by a police chokehold earlier this year.
Sharpton Calls Ferguson Decision 'Absolute Blow;' Protesters Hit Streets
He had a tone of resignation as he talked about the verdict, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.
"It was expected, but still an absolute blow for those of us that wanted to see a fair and open trial," Sharpton said.
Sharpton said he plans to attend a rally with Brown's family, saying, "We can lose a round, but the fight is not over."
Sharpton Calls Ferguson Decision 'Absolute Blow;' Protesters Hit Streets
The grand jury in Missouri had been considering whether to charge Wilson, the white suburban St. Louis officer who fatally shot the black 18-year-old after a confrontation in August.
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Ultimately, the grand jury decided the evidence did not support charges should be filed, St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch said.
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