NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio warned people protesting new COVID lockdown restrictions in parts of Brooklyn and Queens that the NYPD "will not tolerate" assaults, property damage or fires.
The warning came hours after hundreds of members of Orthodox Jewish communities protested in Brooklyn overnight Tuesday. Debris was burned in the street at one point during the protests and there was some pushing and shoving between demonstrators and police officers.
Video posted on social media also shows a crowd knocking down a man holding a camera.
No arrests were reported in the protests.
"I understand that there are people who disagree with this plan and it is a democracy—we appreciate there is always going to be disagreements," de Blasio said. "But it's crucial that those who disagree still respect that the state and city have made a decision for the health and safety of all."
De Blasio said there was a place for peaceful protest but that the NYPD "will not tolerate people doing harm to others."
"There will be no tolerance for assaults, for damage to property, for setting fires," the mayor said. "Anything like that is unacceptable."
"And when the NYPD makes clear to anybody that they need to act in a way that is appropriate given the challenge we're facing, you must adhere to the instructions of the NYPD," de Blasio said. "If you don't, as in every other situation in this city, there will be consequences."
The mayor said the NYPD would give people warnings and "make the ground rules clear" but that "people have to follow those ground rules or else consequences come next."
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Asked about concerns in Orthodox Jewish communities that they were being singled out by the new orders, de Blasio said the neighborhoods impacted are diverse places.
"This is about protecting everyone's lives," the mayor said. "This is about all New Yorkers. And when you look at the communities in Brooklyn and Queens, it's lots of different kinds of people. Remember, we're talking about two of the most diverse places on Earth."
"Within these areas are many kinds of people, and we want to protect everyone," he added. "This is based on data and science."
The leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn also said the governor's new order would unjustly hamper the diocese's ability to serve parishioners.
"Catholic Churches in Brooklyn and Queens have not had any COVID outbreaks or significant cases since re-opening on July 5th to 25% capacity. We fervently object to being told to further reduce capacity, because we have strictly adhered to COVID-19 protocols, and the safety measures have been working," Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said.
De Blasio said he spoke with NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea and made it clear that this was a health emergency. "The state has laid down very clear rules. Everyone must follow those rules. The NYPD will be enforcing those rules," he said.
At his briefing, de Blasio announced that 14-day closures in COVID "red zones" in Brooklyn and Queens would begin Thursday.
The closures will last a minimum of 14 days; the state will then do a reevaluation after 14 days, the mayor said.
Under new rules, violators face $15,000-a-day fines for mass gatherings, as well as $1,000-a-day fines for not wearing face coverings or practicing social distancing.
In the red zones, schools are already closed, while non-essential businesses will close Thursday morning. Restaurants will go to takeout-only, mass gatherings will be prohibited, and houses of worship will be limited to 25% capacity or a maximum of 10 people.
In orange "warning" zones that encompass about a five-block radius around the red zones, there isn't a full pause at this time, but schools will be closed as of Thursday morning. High-risk businesses like gyms will also be closed. Restaurants are allowed outdoor dining only or a maximum four people per table. Gatherings must be 10 people or less—indoor or outdoor—and houses of worship will be limited to 33% capacity or a maximum of 25 people inside.
"The next few weeks are going to be critical," de Blasio said. "The faster we address it all together, the faster we can stop this problem and get back on the right track."
The mayor said he understood the sacrifice the communities would be making, including business owners, but that "we need to stop this outbreak dead in its tracks for the good of all New York City."
The mayor said the "full force of the city" government would be in the red and orange zones—some 1,200 personnel in total on Wednesday—to do outreach in the communities, including information on where to get tested.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
