NYPD Officers Injured During Brooklyn Bridge Protests
By: Ben Chapman
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A high-ranking New York Police Department official and three other officers suffered injuries during confrontations between Black Lives Matter protesters and pro-police protesters on the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday, police officials said.
The two demonstrations, which drew 1,000 to 2,000 people, occurred around 9:45 a.m. and resulted in 37 people being arrested, officials said. The protests temporarily shut down the Brooklyn Bridge.
Three officers had serious head injuries while responding to the confrontations, police officials said. Also, NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan was struck in the hand and suffered two broken fingers, according to the officials.
The NYPD posted video of the incident on Twitter on Wednesday.
“Three officers violently attacked by protesters crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. The officers sustained serious injuries. This is not peaceful protest, this will not be tolerated,” the NYPD said in a statement accompanying the video.
Black Lives Matter protesters confront NYPD officers near New York City Hall.
PHOTO: YUKI IWAMURA/ASSOCIATED PRESS
The confrontation between the two groups of protesters took place hours before New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation on police accountability into law, including a measure that criminalizes the use of a chokehold by an officer.
The NYPD already banned the use of chokeholds. The new policy makes it a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to a year in prison.
“I’m confident we can make these reforms work and continue strengthening the bond between police officers and our communities,” Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat, said after signing the legislation.
The new law was signed in response to weeks of large-scale protests around the country over the death of George Floyd. Mr. Floyd, a Black man, was killed while in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
Police officials in New York City have spoken out against the law , and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea has said it might cause officers to hesitate while on the job.
Several confrontations between pro-police protesters and Black Lives Matter demonstrators have occurred in New York City over the past several days.
Pro-police and Black Lives Matter demonstrations temporarily shut down the Brooklyn Bridge.
PHOTO: JUSTIN LANE/EPA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Chief Monahan has tried to ease tensions with demonstrators over the past several weeks. As an act of solidarity, he took a knee with Black Lives Matter protesters during a June 1 demonstration.
He has also spoken out in opposition to the violence against police officers that has sometimes occurred during the mostly peaceful demonstrations following the death of Mr. Floyd.
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