NYPD reports nearly 300 arrests overnight after cops shut down Manhattan
Nearly 300 people were arrested overnight — as the NYPD shut down most of Manhattan to tamp down widespread looting, police said Wednesday.
During the sixth night of protests over the death of George Floyd, a smaller group of looters struck but much of the chaos appeared to be quelled by the uptick in police presence.
The NYPD shut down Manhattan at 96th Street and blocked bridges — leading to a tense standoff with protesters before they retreated into Brooklyn, videos on social media showed.
The department said 280 people were arrested during the second night of a citywide curfew. Additionally, two officers were injured and three cop cars were vandalized.
Two Associated Press journalists were shoved and harassed by cops moments after the 8 p.m. curfew — telling them to “Get the f—- out of here, you piece of s—-,” according to the AP.
The cops were questioning whether the reporters were essential. Journalists are considered essential workers and are allowed to be out past curfew.
The NYPD’s numbers were expected to change as the day goes on and it processes the arrests.
The department has not provided the names, charges or hometowns of the people arrested since the protests broke out on Thursday.
In total, more than 2,200 have been arrested during the mostly peaceful protests marred by a group of looters targeting stores on Sunday and Monday nights.