Clashes start early as George Floyd protests continue in NYC

Clashes between George Floyd protesters and cops in Manhattan began early on Monday, with several arrested before the sun had even gone down.

As demonstrations over the police-custody death of Floyd entered their fifth day, at least three people were seen in handcuffs at Broadway and 29th Street at around 5 p.m., after officers declared an unlawful assembly in a prerecorded message.

“Grab them!” one officer was heard telling others.

Photos showed a cop holding the arms of a young woman wearing a face mask and black tank top behind her back. Another image showed her being pinned on the ground surrounded by officers.

Two men were seen seated on the curb, their arms cuffed behind their backs, with officers standing watch. Another man appeared to be passed out on the ground, and an ambulance was called.

The NYPD didn’t immediately have information on the incident or how many people had been arrested.

The cuffed protesters appeared to have been part of a group of about 30, though it was unclear where they had marched from or where they were headed.

Meanwhile, in Washington Square Park, about 500 people gathered at around 5:45 p.m., several of whom had come from an earlier protest in Times Square.

They marched in Greenwich Village, chanting “What’s his name? George Floyd!” and “What do we want? Justice.”

Another group gathered in the East Village, on Avenue D and Ninth Street. Video posted on social media showed dozens of protesters there kneeling in the street while a woman read out the names of black people killed by cops.

Demonstrations also continued in Brooklyn, with hundreds marching in Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy.

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Rosner