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| N.Y.C. Protests Flare for Fourth Night: Live Updates | N.Y.C. Protests Flare for Fourth Night: Live Updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| For a fourth night, several groups of protesters marched across New York City on Sunday, threading their way through Manhattan and Brooklyn in largely peaceful demonstrations to protest the death of George Floyd. | |
| But the police were once again out in large numbers, suggesting that they were anticipating unrest as the night wore on. | |
| The city has been reeling from days of chaotic confrontations between protesters and the police that have resulted in dozens of injuries, hundreds of arrests, smashed storefronts and burned police vehicles. | |
| By Sunday night thousands of demonstrators were fanning across the city in different groups, walking into streets crowded with traffic. Protesters also marched across several bridges, including the Brooklyn, Williamsburg and Manhattan, snarling traffic. | |
| Some of the groups paused every few blocks to take a knee, while others gathered in Times Square in Manhattan and outside the Barclays Center arena in Brooklyn. | |
| One group marched south from Washington Square Park in Manhattan and crossed the Williamsburg Bridge into Brooklyn. | |
| A demonstration at Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan began with raised fists and a moment of silence. Many businesses had boarded up their windows in anticipation of trouble. | A demonstration at Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan began with raised fists and a moment of silence. Many businesses had boarded up their windows in anticipation of trouble. |
| The protests in New York were part of escalating demonstrations in dozens of cities across the country that were sparked by a video capturing the final moments of Mr. Floyd, who was black, as a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. | The protests in New York were part of escalating demonstrations in dozens of cities across the country that were sparked by a video capturing the final moments of Mr. Floyd, who was black, as a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. |
| Some cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago, imposed curfews as the protests escalated, but officials in New York said that so far they would not order people off the streets. | Some cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago, imposed curfews as the protests escalated, but officials in New York said that so far they would not order people off the streets. |
| The growing protests in Manhattan, Brooklyn and other parts of the city on Sunday afternoon followed a long night of unrest the day before. | The growing protests in Manhattan, Brooklyn and other parts of the city on Sunday afternoon followed a long night of unrest the day before. |
| Police officials said they have made 786 arrests since the protests started three days ago, including three people who faced federal charges in connection with throwing Molotov cocktails at police cars. | Police officials said they have made 786 arrests since the protests started three days ago, including three people who faced federal charges in connection with throwing Molotov cocktails at police cars. |
| Mayor Bill de Blasio estimated that during the peak of the protests on Saturday night, 5,000 to 6,000 people had participated across the city. | Mayor Bill de Blasio estimated that during the peak of the protests on Saturday night, 5,000 to 6,000 people had participated across the city. |
| Ten stores had been looted in Lower Manhattan, the police said, including shops belonging to Adidas, Alexander Wang, CVS and 7-Eleven. In Downtown Brooklyn on Sunday, cleaning crews were removing graffiti from windows. The doors and windows of some bank branches had been smashed. | Ten stores had been looted in Lower Manhattan, the police said, including shops belonging to Adidas, Alexander Wang, CVS and 7-Eleven. In Downtown Brooklyn on Sunday, cleaning crews were removing graffiti from windows. The doors and windows of some bank branches had been smashed. |
| Across the city, there were 48 reports of property damage and 29 reports of graffiti, including at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan, police said. | Across the city, there were 48 reports of property damage and 29 reports of graffiti, including at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan, police said. |
| The outrage over Mr. Floyd’s death has collided with the monthslong shutdown of New York City as officials attempted to curb the coronavirus pandemic. With the outbreak receding, the city is set to begin reopening on June 8. | The outrage over Mr. Floyd’s death has collided with the monthslong shutdown of New York City as officials attempted to curb the coronavirus pandemic. With the outbreak receding, the city is set to begin reopening on June 8. |
| The protests have raised fears among public health officials about a second wave of the virus. Dr. Theodore Long, a top official at the city’s public hospital agency, urged anyone who had been involved in the demonstrations to get tested for the virus. | The protests have raised fears among public health officials about a second wave of the virus. Dr. Theodore Long, a top official at the city’s public hospital agency, urged anyone who had been involved in the demonstrations to get tested for the virus. |
| Many of the protests had been peaceful, but violence flared at times, leaving 33 police officers injured and 47 police vehicles damaged or destroyed, the police said. | Many of the protests had been peaceful, but violence flared at times, leaving 33 police officers injured and 47 police vehicles damaged or destroyed, the police said. |
| Over the weekend, about two dozen protesters were transported to area hospitals for injuries, according to a spokesman for the New York Fire Department. | Over the weekend, about two dozen protesters were transported to area hospitals for injuries, according to a spokesman for the New York Fire Department. |
| Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday tried to defend the protesters and the police, saying he would investigate any abuses by the police while urging protesters to refrain from violence. | Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday tried to defend the protesters and the police, saying he would investigate any abuses by the police while urging protesters to refrain from violence. |
| The mayor said most demonstrators had expressed their anger peacefully, but pointed out that a small number of protesters “came to do violence in a systematic, organized fashion.” | The mayor said most demonstrators had expressed their anger peacefully, but pointed out that a small number of protesters “came to do violence in a systematic, organized fashion.” |
| One of the tensest moments of Saturday’s protests — captured in a video that quickly went viral — unfolded on Flatbush Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where police officers in a Sport Utility Vehicle were blocked by a throng of protesters carrying a yellow metal barricade. | One of the tensest moments of Saturday’s protests — captured in a video that quickly went viral — unfolded on Flatbush Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where police officers in a Sport Utility Vehicle were blocked by a throng of protesters carrying a yellow metal barricade. |
| As other demonstrators pelted the vehicle and a second police S.U.V. with objects from the street, the cars suddenly surged forward into the crowd. It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured. | As other demonstrators pelted the vehicle and a second police S.U.V. with objects from the street, the cars suddenly surged forward into the crowd. It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured. |
| Referring to the episode, Mr. de Blasio said, “I did not want to ever see something like that,” and announced that he had directed two city officials to investigate that incident and other reports of police misconduct during the protests. | Referring to the episode, Mr. de Blasio said, “I did not want to ever see something like that,” and announced that he had directed two city officials to investigate that incident and other reports of police misconduct during the protests. |
| “But I also want to emphasize that situation was created by a group of protesters blocking and surrounding a police vehicle, a tactic that we had seen before in the last few days, a tactic that can be very, very dangerous to everyone involved,” he said. | “But I also want to emphasize that situation was created by a group of protesters blocking and surrounding a police vehicle, a tactic that we had seen before in the last few days, a tactic that can be very, very dangerous to everyone involved,” he said. |
| Mr. de Blasio’s response seemed like a careful balancing act: trying to support police officers who have been subject to violence while also acknowledging the police abuses, especially against black and Hispanic men, that he highlighted as a major campaign issue when he first ran for mayor. | Mr. de Blasio’s response seemed like a careful balancing act: trying to support police officers who have been subject to violence while also acknowledging the police abuses, especially against black and Hispanic men, that he highlighted as a major campaign issue when he first ran for mayor. |
| The mayor’s remarks on Sunday represented a shift in tone from Saturday night, when he said that the New York Police Department had “overwhelmingly” acted appropriately and with restraint during the protests. | The mayor’s remarks on Sunday represented a shift in tone from Saturday night, when he said that the New York Police Department had “overwhelmingly” acted appropriately and with restraint during the protests. |
| Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate, criticized those comments at a news conference on Sunday, saying the lack of accountability for police misconduct was at the heart of the protests. | Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate, criticized those comments at a news conference on Sunday, saying the lack of accountability for police misconduct was at the heart of the protests. |
| “The answer to what’s going on cannot be ramming protesters,” Mr. Williams said. | “The answer to what’s going on cannot be ramming protesters,” Mr. Williams said. |
| Mr. Williams also said the heavy police presence meeting protesters was escalating tensions. “We don’t need to see as many police vehicles that then become the focus of people’s attention,” he said. | Mr. Williams also said the heavy police presence meeting protesters was escalating tensions. “We don’t need to see as many police vehicles that then become the focus of people’s attention,” he said. |
| Thousands of protesters gathered in Manhattan and Brooklyn on Sunday evening, one day after clashes erupted between the police and demonstrators calling for justice after the death of Mr. Floyd. | Thousands of protesters gathered in Manhattan and Brooklyn on Sunday evening, one day after clashes erupted between the police and demonstrators calling for justice after the death of Mr. Floyd. |
| Several hundred people gathered on Sunday afternoon in Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan, where protesters chanted the names of black men killed by the police followed by a moment of silence for each one. | Several hundred people gathered on Sunday afternoon in Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan, where protesters chanted the names of black men killed by the police followed by a moment of silence for each one. |
| Later, a woman climbed atop a fountain at the western edge of the park and raised her fist to the sky. | Later, a woman climbed atop a fountain at the western edge of the park and raised her fist to the sky. |
| “I am a black woman and I will not be a hashtag!” she shouted. | “I am a black woman and I will not be a hashtag!” she shouted. |
| The group then marched out of the park and began winding its way through the neighborhood. As the crowd moved, they were monitored by police officers who carried stun guns and had white plastic handcuffs dangling from their belts. Police vehicles slowly followed the march. | The group then marched out of the park and began winding its way through the neighborhood. As the crowd moved, they were monitored by police officers who carried stun guns and had white plastic handcuffs dangling from their belts. Police vehicles slowly followed the march. |
| The throng of protesters in the street brought traffic to a standstill, including a city bus, where a white girl pressed against the window and raised her fist in solidarity with the protesters, who raised their fists back in response. | The throng of protesters in the street brought traffic to a standstill, including a city bus, where a white girl pressed against the window and raised her fist in solidarity with the protesters, who raised their fists back in response. |
| As the crowd moved peacefully up Fifth Avenue, a small group of teenage protesters started knocking over trash cans, drawing rebukes from the rest of the demonstrators. | As the crowd moved peacefully up Fifth Avenue, a small group of teenage protesters started knocking over trash cans, drawing rebukes from the rest of the demonstrators. |
| “Quit that!” protesters shouted at them. “Get out of here with that. Join us peacefully or leave! Just leave!” | “Quit that!” protesters shouted at them. “Get out of here with that. Join us peacefully or leave! Just leave!” |
| But some businesses and institutions braced for the possibility of more looting. | But some businesses and institutions braced for the possibility of more looting. |
| Workers were busy boarding up the windows of the flagship Saks department store on Sunday afternoon, and more than a dozen police officers wearing helmets and armed with batons stood guard outside St Patrick’s Cathedral, which was defaced with graffiti on Saturday. | Workers were busy boarding up the windows of the flagship Saks department store on Sunday afternoon, and more than a dozen police officers wearing helmets and armed with batons stood guard outside St Patrick’s Cathedral, which was defaced with graffiti on Saturday. |
| In Brooklyn, near the Barclays Center arena, a rainbow of handmade protest signs dotted the horizon stretching to Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues, where protesters chanted at the police and passing motorists honked their car horns. | In Brooklyn, near the Barclays Center arena, a rainbow of handmade protest signs dotted the horizon stretching to Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues, where protesters chanted at the police and passing motorists honked their car horns. |
| Protesters also marched through McCarren Park in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, where many urged picnicking park goers to join them with chants of “white silence is violence!” | Protesters also marched through McCarren Park in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, where many urged picnicking park goers to join them with chants of “white silence is violence!” |
| Some got up to join the march. Jackie Rodriguez, 56, said she had to come to the park to sunbathe but thought there was “no way not to join” the protesters. Others were not so moved, however, and clapped to show their support. | Some got up to join the march. Jackie Rodriguez, 56, said she had to come to the park to sunbathe but thought there was “no way not to join” the protesters. Others were not so moved, however, and clapped to show their support. |
| “It’s astounding how many people can watch as if this were entertainment, especially in gentrified Brooklyn,” said Roni Lee, 21, one of the protesters. “To stand by and applaud doesn’t do anything.” | “It’s astounding how many people can watch as if this were entertainment, especially in gentrified Brooklyn,” said Roni Lee, 21, one of the protesters. “To stand by and applaud doesn’t do anything.” |
| In Times Square, protesters chanted for police officers to kneel with them. Under the red light of a Walgreens store, a black female officer dropped her knee to the ground. She stood back up and fist-bumped one of the protesters. | In Times Square, protesters chanted for police officers to kneel with them. Under the red light of a Walgreens store, a black female officer dropped her knee to the ground. She stood back up and fist-bumped one of the protesters. |
| A protester made a heart sign with her hands. Another police officer then went down on one knee. | A protester made a heart sign with her hands. Another police officer then went down on one knee. |
| “I know you’re one of us,” a protester told him. | “I know you’re one of us,” a protester told him. |
| On Saturday night, a phalanx of police officers and a group of protesters stood facing each other on Broadway just after 10 p.m. | On Saturday night, a phalanx of police officers and a group of protesters stood facing each other on Broadway just after 10 p.m. |
| A young man with a brown scarf wrapped around his face danced in the middle of the street. | A young man with a brown scarf wrapped around his face danced in the middle of the street. |
| “SoHo, SoHo,” he said. “Let’s go.” | “SoHo, SoHo,” he said. “Let’s go.” |
| Within minutes, more than 100 people began marching south, and the sharp sound of shattering glass echoed in the street. A Wells Fargo branch, a North Face store and The Bean, a cafe, all had their doors and windows smashed to cheers from the crowd. | Within minutes, more than 100 people began marching south, and the sharp sound of shattering glass echoed in the street. A Wells Fargo branch, a North Face store and The Bean, a cafe, all had their doors and windows smashed to cheers from the crowd. |
| Until Saturday night, New York City had not experienced the sort of property destruction and looting seen in cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul. Most of the looting on Saturday took place in SoHo, a trendy shopping area in Lower Manhattan, the police said. | Until Saturday night, New York City had not experienced the sort of property destruction and looting seen in cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul. Most of the looting on Saturday took place in SoHo, a trendy shopping area in Lower Manhattan, the police said. |
| Protesters spray-painted slogans on the outside of some stores, while other stores were raided for merchandise. | Protesters spray-painted slogans on the outside of some stores, while other stores were raided for merchandise. |
| The group was mostly young and included men and women, African Americans and white people. Most did not enter stores, but some yelled at onlookers to “stop recording” the scene with their cellphones. | The group was mostly young and included men and women, African Americans and white people. Most did not enter stores, but some yelled at onlookers to “stop recording” the scene with their cellphones. |
| Police officers in cars could not keep up with the marchers, who dragged newspaper boxes and metal police barricades into the street and set small fires as they proceeded. | Police officers in cars could not keep up with the marchers, who dragged newspaper boxes and metal police barricades into the street and set small fires as they proceeded. |
| Joseph Gil, 25, a black man from the Bronx who said he had come to the protest “to show love for my people,” watched as people broke into the Nudie Jeans Repair Shop and emerged with stacks of jeans. “I don’t know about this,” he said. | Joseph Gil, 25, a black man from the Bronx who said he had come to the protest “to show love for my people,” watched as people broke into the Nudie Jeans Repair Shop and emerged with stacks of jeans. “I don’t know about this,” he said. |
| Michael Watson, 33, of Midtown, called the looters opportunists who were “taking advantage” of the protest. | Michael Watson, 33, of Midtown, called the looters opportunists who were “taking advantage” of the protest. |
| “This is not what this is about,” Mr. Watson, who is black, said as he watched the looting unfold. “It’s about black people being murdered in the streets by people whose salaries are paid by their taxes and who have no accountability.” | “This is not what this is about,” Mr. Watson, who is black, said as he watched the looting unfold. “It’s about black people being murdered in the streets by people whose salaries are paid by their taxes and who have no accountability.” |
| After looting the jeans store, the crowd kept marching south. The young man with the brown scarf across his face urged people to turn west. | After looting the jeans store, the crowd kept marching south. The young man with the brown scarf across his face urged people to turn west. |
| “Gucci’s this way,” he shouted. | “Gucci’s this way,” he shouted. |
| “We’re going to Apple,” another man responded. | “We’re going to Apple,” another man responded. |
| On Sunday morning, workers were sweeping up debris at looted stores. On Bleecker Streeter, an empty cash register draw could be seen through the window of another store. | On Sunday morning, workers were sweeping up debris at looted stores. On Bleecker Streeter, an empty cash register draw could be seen through the window of another store. |
| The only piece of merchandise that could be glimpsed from the street was a pair of sunglasses with purple lenses that lay on the floor. | The only piece of merchandise that could be glimpsed from the street was a pair of sunglasses with purple lenses that lay on the floor. |
| Reporting was contributed by Emily Jo Corona, Emma Goldberg, Colin Moynihan, Nicole Hong, Derek M. Norman, Nate Schweber, Matthew Sedacca, Liam Stack, Ali Watkins and Michael Wilson. |