Police Shut Down City Without Warning, Rough Up Peaceful Protestors

Police cracked down violently on peaceful protesters Wednesday and Thursday night. Essential workers such as medical personnel and delivery people were unable to get through barricades, as police without prior warning shut down bridges, subway stations and bike share as early as 6 p.m. Thursday night, stranding citizens.

https://twitter.com/johnknefel/status/1268736946031001607

Protesters were unable to access legal help, arrests appear likely to spread the virus, and the police are using yellow cabs for undercover. Mayor de Blasio is besieged from all quarters and appears to have lost control over the police, leading to speculation some in the NYPD may be staging their own counter protest and ignoring looters.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBDfjdBD-by/

Restaurants, groceries and other essential services may not be available today and over the weekend, and the unstable situation does not bode well for public safety and Monday’s planned reopening.

A rally to protest the death of Jamel Floyd in Sunset Park proceeded peacefully, and a group of protesters on Atlantic Avenue that included City Council members dispersed without incident at the request of the police.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBCJeVIpihz/

Both in and outside of New York City, an ongoing stream of witness videos of violent police attacks since the protests began, including on the weak and infirm such as a homeless man in Los Angeles and an elderly man in Buffalo, N.Y., have shocked the nation.