Around 57 people were charged with crimes after demonstrations in New York turned violent this week, including one woman who spat in the face of an NYPD officer.
People across the country took the streets in the wake of Election Day as multiple states continue counting ballots and have yet to be decided. Of the nearly 60 people who allegedly committed crimes in New York City, 25 were arrested and 32 were issued summonses, Fox News reported.
Video of one incident showed a 24-year-old Pennsylvania woman spitting directly at a sergeant’s face after the officer ordered her to move back. The woman is seen screaming, “F— you, fascist,” very close to the officer’s face.
A young woman was arrested after she spat in an officer’s face after screaming, “F–k you, fascist,” tonight in the West Village. pic.twitter.com/cfgVLYJ5pc
— elizabeth meryl rosner (@elizameryl) November 5, 2020
According to Fox News, the woman was charged with obstruction of government administration, harassment, and violation of local law.
In another case, a high-ranking officer in the NYPD was allegedly punched in the back of the head by a 23-year-old Brooklyn man who was then charged with resisting arrest, obstruction of government administration and harassment.
In a separate instance, 23-year-old Rachel Menard allegedly attempted to prevent police from making an arrest, punching a chief in the face twice, according to Fox News. The woman was charged with assault and obstructing government administration.
In another area, a 35-year-old man allegedly damaged property and was charged with criminal mischief.
The NYPD posted on Twitter Wednesday evening showing a number of items confiscated during the night’s protests, including knives, a hammer, flammable liquid, a stun gun, and M80 fireworks.
These weapons, confiscated at protests tonight, put others at risk. Bringing weapons to peaceful protests cannot and will not be tolerated. We are currently working to de-escalate the situation. Anyone caught with a weapon will be arrested. pic.twitter.com/GiCDv74ncT
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 5, 2020
“Who brings a knife and a hammer and a flammable liquid to in fact start fires to a peaceful protest?” police Commissioner Dermot Shea said during a news conference Thursday.
In another tweet posted Wednesday, the NYPD said they support the right to self-expression, but fires will not be allowed.
“We support everyone’s right to self-expression, but setting fires puts other at risk and will not be tolerated. We are working to de-escalate the situation near Morton Street in the West Village to prevent further damage from occurring,” the tweet stated.
We support everyone’s right to self-expression, but setting fires puts others at risk and will not be tolerated. We are working to de-escalate the situation near Morton Street in the West Village to prevent further damage from occurring. pic.twitter.com/4nTK6UUBzC
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 5, 2020
On Thursday, Rodney Harrison, NYPD Chief of Detectives, shared a video highlighting the force’s newly formed Looting Task Force and said they were “prepared to investigate any acts of looting that occur.
The NYPD’s newly formed Looting Task Force is prepared to investigate any acts of looting that can potentially occur. pic.twitter.com/qIMGJzCK2F
— Chief Rodney Harrison (@NYPDDetectives) November 5, 2020
