New York City Police Department chief Terence Monahan was among several NYPD members attacked by protesters during a planned unity march across the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday.
The NYPD shared video of a suspect swinging a pole at officers on the Brooklyn Bridge.
“Three officers violently attacked by protesters crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. The officers sustained serious injuries,” the NYPD tweeted, with video of one of the attacks. “This is not peaceful protest, this will not be tolerated.”
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. pic.twitter.com/cYuDX8G7ku
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 15, 2020
Another video posted Wednesday showed an even larger brawl between police and counter protests at the location where the first suspect was seen swinging a pole at officers.
“NEW video shows protesters on Brooklyn Bridge today brawling with cops. NYPD footage just showed cops getting attacked,” a Twitter user posted.
NEW video shows protesters on Brooklyn Bridge today brawling with cops. NYPD footage just showed cops getting attacked. pic.twitter.com/j9begoedwE
— Shawn Cohen (@spccohen) July 15, 2020
At least eight NYPD officers were injured in the attacks, Newsweek reported, including Monahan who received an injury to his hand during the assaults and clashes between police and protesters.
“These are the injuries our officers sustained,” the NYPD tweeted with additional photos and videos of injured NYPD officers.
Additional footage of the serious injuries our officers sustained on the Brooklyn Bridge. pic.twitter.com/Ja9lTpQu0G
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 15, 2020
CBS 2 New York reported the unity march was meant to include a diverse group of interfaith leaders, including Christian, Muslim, Jewish. The unity march was also meant to include law enforcement, police unions, Black Veterans For Social Justice and citizens.
“Let’s stop the violence. The people who are getting hurt right now while people are coming against the police officers is the African-American community,” Bishop Gerald Seabrooks, the president of the United Clergy Coalition told CBS 2. “We are fed up and tired of seeing a 1-year-old shot, a 12-year-old paralyzed. No, we need the police. What we’re saying is we don’t want police brutality.”
The march was reportedly meant to promote dialogue between the groups on matters of social justice and police reforms. Counter protesters however told CBS 2 reporters they felt the unity march was too supportive of the police.
“They said no, basically, we’re gonna arrest all of the Black Lives Matter protesters first and then allow this protest to peacefully come by. They didn’t want a counter-protest. They didn’t want democracy. They didn’t want freedom in this moment. They set us up intentionally,” protester Jonathan Lykes told CBS 2.
Those counter protesters formed a line to block the march from proceeding and the assaults occurred as police worked to move the protesters and allow the march to proceed. In total, police made 34 arrests as they broke up the counter protest.
Shayborn Banks, 25, was arrested in connection with the Wednesday attacks and was charged with assaulting an NYPD lieutenant.
Police also arrested Quran Campbell, 25, and charged him with assaulting three officers.
