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| N.Y.C. Protests Escalate, Clash With Police: Live Updates | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| For a fourth night, several groups of demonstrators marched across New York City, threading their way through Manhattan and Brooklyn to protest the death of George Floyd. | |
| The protests remained largely peaceful for several hours, but by 9:30 p.m., some groups were clashing with police officers, setting fire to dumpsters and breaking into stores in Lower Manhattan. 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. | 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. |
| On Sunday night thousands of demonstrators were fanning across the city in different groups, snarling traffic on the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges. | |
| 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. | 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 crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, and another shut down the Manhattan Bridge to car traffic, briefly. | |
| “Whose bridge?” protesters shouted. “Our bridge!” | “Whose bridge?” protesters shouted. “Our bridge!” |
| 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. |
| One of the people arrested was the mayor’s daughter, Chiara de Blasio, according to a police official. Ms. de Blasio, 25, was arrested around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday near Union Square in Manhattan, the official 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. |
| Before the first demonstrators in New York even took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd, anarchists were planning to use the demonstrations to commit violence, a top police official said on Sunday. | Before the first demonstrators in New York even took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd, anarchists were planning to use the demonstrations to commit violence, a top police official said on Sunday. |
| The official, Deputy Commissioner John Miller, who oversees the New York Police Department’s counterterrorism and intelligence-gathering efforts, said the groups used encrypted messaging apps ahead of the protests to raise bail money and recruit medics in anticipation of violent interactions with the police. | The official, Deputy Commissioner John Miller, who oversees the New York Police Department’s counterterrorism and intelligence-gathering efforts, said the groups used encrypted messaging apps ahead of the protests to raise bail money and recruit medics in anticipation of violent interactions with the police. |
| The groups also developed supply routes to transport gasoline, rocks and bottles during the protests. A complex network of bicycle scouts were tasked with moving ahead of the demonstrators to let them know where small groups could break off to do damage out of sight of the police, he added. | The groups also developed supply routes to transport gasoline, rocks and bottles during the protests. A complex network of bicycle scouts were tasked with moving ahead of the demonstrators to let them know where small groups could break off to do damage out of sight of the police, he added. |
| Mr. Miller said the police were still investigating who planned the violence and how they orchestrated their efforts. | Mr. Miller said the police were still investigating who planned the violence and how they orchestrated their efforts. |
| Among the 786 people who have been arrested during the demonstrations so far were bicyclists transporting gasoline and people whose backpacks contained hammers, hooks and ropes. | Among the 786 people who have been arrested during the demonstrations so far were bicyclists transporting gasoline and people whose backpacks contained hammers, hooks and ropes. |
| One out of every seven people arrested lived outside of New York, including from as far away as Texas and Minnesota. | One out of every seven people arrested lived outside of New York, including from as far away as Texas and Minnesota. |
| The anarchists were not alone in wanting to use the protests as cover for destruction, Mr. Miller said. The Islamic State and Al Qaeda affiliates, as well as white supremacists and neo-Nazi groups, had all distributed propaganda recently “attempting to exploit the unrest for either recruitment or mobilization,” he said. | The anarchists were not alone in wanting to use the protests as cover for destruction, Mr. Miller said. The Islamic State and Al Qaeda affiliates, as well as white supremacists and neo-Nazi groups, had all distributed propaganda recently “attempting to exploit the unrest for either recruitment or mobilization,” he said. |
| The materials included encouragement to commit lone-wolf attacks at protests around the country, he said. | The materials included encouragement to commit lone-wolf attacks at protests around the country, he said. |
| Until Saturday night, New York City had not experienced the sort of property damage 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 damage 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. 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. | Protesters spray-painted slogans on the outside of some stores, while other stores were raided for merchandise. 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. |
| On Sunday morning, workers were sweeping up debris at looted stores. On Bleecker Street, 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 Street, 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, Ashley Southall, Liam Stack, Ali Watkins and Michael Wilson. | Reporting was contributed by Emily Jo Corona, Emma Goldberg, Colin Moynihan, Nicole Hong, Derek M. Norman, Nate Schweber, Matthew Sedacca, Ashley Southall, Liam Stack, Ali Watkins and Michael Wilson. |