NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- At least 180 people were arrested as protesters took to the streets for a seventh night in New York City Wednesday.
While there was less looting and fewer arrests than on previous nights, demonstrators stayed out past the 8 p.m. curfew to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, leading to tense confrontations between protesters and police.
About an hour after the deadline to get off the street, officers began moving in on crowds of demonstrators in Manhattan and Brooklyn, at times blasting people with pepper spray or using batons to shove people who didn’t move fast enough.
NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan said about 60 people were arrested near Central Park out of a large band of protesters who had marched from near the mayor’s residence, Gracie Mansion. Police moved in just before a heavy rain began.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was at a peaceful demonstration Wednesday night near Borough Hall in Brooklyn, but he said it soon got volatile. He expressed outrage that peaceful demonstrations were broken up.
"I can't believe what I just witnessed & experienced," he said. "The force used on nonviolent protestors was disgusting. No looting/no fires. Chants of 'peaceful protest.'
He added "@NYPDnews was simply enforcing an ill advised curfew What happened was completely avoidable I'm so ashamed of @NYCMayor."
But the scene at that protest didn't reflect everywhere else.
Several videos of demonstrators being shoved by police officers were shared to social media.
MANHATTAN:
9:55 p.m.
9:13 p.m.
9:02 p.m.
8:15 p.m.
7:26 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
2:48 p.m.
Large Group Protesting Peacefully @CitizenApp
5th Ave & Washington Square N 4:10:28 PM EDT