40 Protesters Arrested In New York After They Lose Fight With NYPD

New York, NY – At least 40 protesters were arrested Thursday after a protest turned violent at Manhattan’s Union Square.

The gathering was supposed to be protesting the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

At around 4:15 p.m., protesters started pushing police as they worked to keep the group out of the roadway, according to WNBC.

More shoving escalated half an hour later. Then a protester punched an officer in the face. Another protester hit an officer in the head with a garbage can.

One of the arrestees was carrying a knife, according to WNBC.

Fox News reports that one person tried to take an officer’s gun from its holster.

Two police officers were injured.

Video from the scene captured part of the scuffles:

The protest comes after New York Mayor Bill de Blasio delcared that if George Floyd were white, he’d still be alive.

The protest is a violation of the city’s strict prohibition on large gatherings due to social distancing guidelines. Mayor de Blasio has been active in pushing for social distancing enforcement in the past.