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| Some N.Y.C. Protesters Melt Away at Curfew. Others Persist: Live Updates | Some N.Y.C. Protesters Melt Away at Curfew. Others Persist: Live Updates |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The protests that have filled New York’s streets in recent days entered their second week on Friday, with thousands of people gathering at sites across the city for demonstrations, marches and vigils that continued to be overwhelmingly peaceful. | The protests that have filled New York’s streets in recent days entered their second week on Friday, with thousands of people gathering at sites across the city for demonstrations, marches and vigils that continued to be overwhelmingly peaceful. |
| While several groups appeared ready to once again defy a citywide curfew and risk the forceful tactics the police had used for two straight nights to clear out protesters who did not disperse, others broke up voluntarily as 8 p.m. approached amid intermittent rain. | While several groups appeared ready to once again defy a citywide curfew and risk the forceful tactics the police had used for two straight nights to clear out protesters who did not disperse, others broke up voluntarily as 8 p.m. approached amid intermittent rain. |
| “Everybody go home,” organizers of a group on Manhattan’s Upper West Side implored the crowd as a number of officers approached shortly before the curfew was to take effect. “It’s a wrap.” | “Everybody go home,” organizers of a group on Manhattan’s Upper West Side implored the crowd as a number of officers approached shortly before the curfew was to take effect. “It’s a wrap.” |
| In Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood, where mass arrests were narrowly averted on Thursday night when elected officials intervened to help what had been a peaceful march end that way, one protester announced to the crowd, “You are nothing less to the cause if you’re not here after curfew.” | In Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood, where mass arrests were narrowly averted on Thursday night when elected officials intervened to help what had been a peaceful march end that way, one protester announced to the crowd, “You are nothing less to the cause if you’re not here after curfew.” |
| “I want to see you here next week,” he added. “For your support, you have to be here. Share the love.” | “I want to see you here next week,” he added. “For your support, you have to be here. Share the love.” |
| Still, the majority of the group stayed, and several others were still marching as night fell on a day that started with Mayor Bill de Blasio continuing to defend the police’s actions in breaking up demonstrations, even as videos and photos showed officers employing aggressive and sometimes violent tactics to do so. | |
| “What I saw overwhelmingly, and have continued to see, is peaceful protest being respected on both sides,” Mr. de Blasio said at a news briefing. | “What I saw overwhelmingly, and have continued to see, is peaceful protest being respected on both sides,” Mr. de Blasio said at a news briefing. |
| But with criticism mounting — including from Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate, who helped de-escalate the tension in Clinton Hill on Thursday — the mayor said for the first time that some officers would be disciplined, and suspended, for their treatment of protesters. And late Friday, several were. | |
| The mayor also continued to defend the curfew against calls that it be abandoned, saying it would stay in place and be enforced through the weekend, even as the Manhattan district attorney joined his counterparts in Brooklyn and the Bronx in saying he would not prosecute those arrested during the protests and charged with low-level offenses like unlawful assembly. | The mayor also continued to defend the curfew against calls that it be abandoned, saying it would stay in place and be enforced through the weekend, even as the Manhattan district attorney joined his counterparts in Brooklyn and the Bronx in saying he would not prosecute those arrested during the protests and charged with low-level offenses like unlawful assembly. |
| Two New York police officers have been suspended without pay for their involvement in what the city’s police commissioner called “troubling” and “disturbing” incidents during the protests of the past week, which were a response to the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, in police custody in Minneapolis last month. | Two New York police officers have been suspended without pay for their involvement in what the city’s police commissioner called “troubling” and “disturbing” incidents during the protests of the past week, which were a response to the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, in police custody in Minneapolis last month. |
| In a statement released late Friday, the commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, announced that one officer had been suspended after video emerged of the officer pushing a woman to the ground in Brooklyn on May 29. A second officer involved in a separate incident the next day had also been suspended for pulling down a man’s face mask and then spraying the man in the face with pepper spray. | In a statement released late Friday, the commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, announced that one officer had been suspended after video emerged of the officer pushing a woman to the ground in Brooklyn on May 29. A second officer involved in a separate incident the next day had also been suspended for pulling down a man’s face mask and then spraying the man in the face with pepper spray. |
| Mr. Shea did not identify the officers in his statement. A spokesman would not provide the officers names, and the department did not immediately respond to an email requesting them. Both suspensions came after the department’s internal affairs bureau had concluded its investigation into the incidents. The cases have been referred to an official for disciplinary action, the statement said. | Mr. Shea did not identify the officers in his statement. A spokesman would not provide the officers names, and the department did not immediately respond to an email requesting them. Both suspensions came after the department’s internal affairs bureau had concluded its investigation into the incidents. The cases have been referred to an official for disciplinary action, the statement said. |
| “While the investigations have to play out, based on the severity of what we saw, it is appropriate and necessary to assure the public that there will be transparency during the disciplinary process,” Mr. Shea said in his statement. He added that the incidents were “run counter to the principles of N.Y.P.D. training, as well as our mission of public safety.” | “While the investigations have to play out, based on the severity of what we saw, it is appropriate and necessary to assure the public that there will be transparency during the disciplinary process,” Mr. Shea said in his statement. He added that the incidents were “run counter to the principles of N.Y.P.D. training, as well as our mission of public safety.” |
| Mr. Shea’s announcement came hours after Mr. de Blasio foreshadowed that disciplinary action would be forthcoming. But at his daily news briefing, the mayor also defended the police’s actions in enforcing the citywide curfew he imposed, despite photos and videos showing some officers employing aggressive tactics on recent nights. | |
| “What I saw overwhelmingly, and have continued to see, is peaceful protest being respected on both sides,” Mr. de Blasio said. | “What I saw overwhelmingly, and have continued to see, is peaceful protest being respected on both sides,” Mr. de Blasio said. |
| The mayor pledged to review reports of officers acting inappropriately. Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, and the Manhattan and Brooklyn district attorneys are also investigating potential acts of police misconduct during the protests. | The mayor pledged to review reports of officers acting inappropriately. Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, and the Manhattan and Brooklyn district attorneys are also investigating potential acts of police misconduct during the protests. |
| Mr. Shea has condemned the killing of Mr. Floyd and apologized on Thursday for any instances of police misconduct over the past several days. | Mr. Shea has condemned the killing of Mr. Floyd and apologized on Thursday for any instances of police misconduct over the past several days. |
| But during the brief news conference in which he apologized, he also demanded that demonstrators stop insulting and attacking his officers and he warned that anti-police rhetoric could lead to continued violence against those he oversees. | But during the brief news conference in which he apologized, he also demanded that demonstrators stop insulting and attacking his officers and he warned that anti-police rhetoric could lead to continued violence against those he oversees. |
| “For our part in the damage to civility, for our part in racial bias, in excessive force, unacceptable behavior, unacceptable language and many other mistakes, we are human,” he said. “I am sorry. Are you?” | “For our part in the damage to civility, for our part in racial bias, in excessive force, unacceptable behavior, unacceptable language and many other mistakes, we are human,” he said. “I am sorry. Are you?” |
| District attorneys in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx will not prosecute people accused of low-level offenses after being arrested amid the protests against police brutality and systemic racism that entered their second week in New York City on Friday. | District attorneys in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx will not prosecute people accused of low-level offenses after being arrested amid the protests against police brutality and systemic racism that entered their second week in New York City on Friday. |
| Since last week, more than 2,000 people have been arrested in the city on charges like disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, unlawful assembly, assault on a police officer and burglary, according to the police and prosecutors. | Since last week, more than 2,000 people have been arrested in the city on charges like disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, unlawful assembly, assault on a police officer and burglary, according to the police and prosecutors. |
| On Friday, the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., said that he would not prosecute protesters accused of unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct. In a statement, he commended demonstrators who had gathered peacefully and committed no other offenses. | On Friday, the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., said that he would not prosecute protesters accused of unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct. In a statement, he commended demonstrators who had gathered peacefully and committed no other offenses. |
| “The prosecution of protesters charged with these low-level offenses undermines critical bonds between law enforcement and the communities we serve,” Mr. Vance said in a statement. “Our office has a moral imperative to enact public policies which assure all New Yorkers that in our justice system and our society, black lives matter and police violence is a crime.” | “The prosecution of protesters charged with these low-level offenses undermines critical bonds between law enforcement and the communities we serve,” Mr. Vance said in a statement. “Our office has a moral imperative to enact public policies which assure all New Yorkers that in our justice system and our society, black lives matter and police violence is a crime.” |
| According to the district attorney’s office, the move affects 71 cases. | According to the district attorney’s office, the move affects 71 cases. |
| Under an existing policy, Manhattan prosecutors dismiss such cases after six months, provided that the accused was not charged with a new crime. | Under an existing policy, Manhattan prosecutors dismiss such cases after six months, provided that the accused was not charged with a new crime. |
| Brooklyn’s district attorney, Eric Gonzalez, has taken a similar stance. He has said his office would review cases in which a desk appearance ticket was issued and then determine whether the case should move forward. In instances where a person was only charged with unlawful assembly or with violating curfew, his office will decline to prosecute. | Brooklyn’s district attorney, Eric Gonzalez, has taken a similar stance. He has said his office would review cases in which a desk appearance ticket was issued and then determine whether the case should move forward. In instances where a person was only charged with unlawful assembly or with violating curfew, his office will decline to prosecute. |
| “We will respond to the arrests here, but we will make sure the prosecution of the individual makes sense and does not trample on the right to assemble,” Mr. Gonzalez said in an interview this week. “We stand for the right of people to protest.” | “We will respond to the arrests here, but we will make sure the prosecution of the individual makes sense and does not trample on the right to assemble,” Mr. Gonzalez said in an interview this week. “We stand for the right of people to protest.” |
| Mr. Gonzalez’s office has so far declined to prosecute a half-dozen cases. | Mr. Gonzalez’s office has so far declined to prosecute a half-dozen cases. |
| The Bronx district attorney, Darcel D. Clark, has also declined to prosecute protesters accused of unlawful assembly or violating the curfew. A summons will be issued in such cases instead. | The Bronx district attorney, Darcel D. Clark, has also declined to prosecute protesters accused of unlawful assembly or violating the curfew. A summons will be issued in such cases instead. |
| Mr. Vance said his office will not prosecute those accused of violating the curfew. He and Mr. Gonzalez have said they would continue to prosecute people accused of violence against officers and looting. Both offices are also investigating allegations of police abuse and brutality against protesters. | |
| A spokeswoman for the mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. | A spokeswoman for the mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. |
| Devora Kaye, a spokeswoman for the Police Department said in a statement, “It is our understanding that each arrest will continue to be looked at on a case-by-case basis.” | Devora Kaye, a spokeswoman for the Police Department said in a statement, “It is our understanding that each arrest will continue to be looked at on a case-by-case basis.” |
| Hundreds of people gathered in Brooklyn and Manhattan on Friday at peaceful vigils to honor Breonna Taylor, an African-American emergency medical technician killed by the police in March in Louisville, Ky. | Hundreds of people gathered in Brooklyn and Manhattan on Friday at peaceful vigils to honor Breonna Taylor, an African-American emergency medical technician killed by the police in March in Louisville, Ky. |
| The events were part of national efforts to honor Ms. Taylor on what would have been her 27th birthday. She was shot and killed by officers who burst into her apartment during a late-night drug investigation on March 13. | The events were part of national efforts to honor Ms. Taylor on what would have been her 27th birthday. She was shot and killed by officers who burst into her apartment during a late-night drug investigation on March 13. |
| Ms. Taylor has emerged as a prominent face of #SayHerName, a social media effort to recognize the black women whose deaths at the hands of police have been overshadowed by the police killings of black men. | Ms. Taylor has emerged as a prominent face of #SayHerName, a social media effort to recognize the black women whose deaths at the hands of police have been overshadowed by the police killings of black men. |
| “Our black women are often forgotten, and that is not OK,” Cherish Patton, 18, told a crowd of hundreds who gathered for a vigil she organized in Harlem in front of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. state office building. She thanked the crowd for “paying tribute” to Ms. Taylor. | “Our black women are often forgotten, and that is not OK,” Cherish Patton, 18, told a crowd of hundreds who gathered for a vigil she organized in Harlem in front of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. state office building. She thanked the crowd for “paying tribute” to Ms. Taylor. |
| People lit candles and placed flowers at the base of a statue of Powell. Ms. Patton burned sage, waving it as the scent wafted through the air. | People lit candles and placed flowers at the base of a statue of Powell. Ms. Patton burned sage, waving it as the scent wafted through the air. |
| Later, a violinist played, “This Little Light of Mine,” and Ms. Patton ended the event, which morphed into a short, peaceful March, by leading the crowd in singing Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday.” | Later, a violinist played, “This Little Light of Mine,” and Ms. Patton ended the event, which morphed into a short, peaceful March, by leading the crowd in singing Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday.” |
| At another vigil in Brooklyn, on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library near Grand Army Plaza, hundreds also gathered and sang “Happy Birthday” to Ms. Taylor. | At another vigil in Brooklyn, on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library near Grand Army Plaza, hundreds also gathered and sang “Happy Birthday” to Ms. Taylor. |
| “Today, we’re celebrating a birthday of somebody who has sparked change in our country and our world,” an organizer said to a group of demonstrators. | “Today, we’re celebrating a birthday of somebody who has sparked change in our country and our world,” an organizer said to a group of demonstrators. |
| Sofia Montgomery, 28, has been attending protests consistently since they began last week. She said she decided to march again on Friday because she wanted to shed light on police brutality against women. | Sofia Montgomery, 28, has been attending protests consistently since they began last week. She said she decided to march again on Friday because she wanted to shed light on police brutality against women. |
| “Women killed by police don’t get as much attention,” Ms. Montgomery said. | “Women killed by police don’t get as much attention,” Ms. Montgomery said. |
| Jill Feyer, 39, who was leading a protest near Union Square in Manhattan, had also been at protests all week, she said. But despite her fatigue, she was determined to show up one more time on Friday. | Jill Feyer, 39, who was leading a protest near Union Square in Manhattan, had also been at protests all week, she said. But despite her fatigue, she was determined to show up one more time on Friday. |
| “I’m exhausted. We’ve had a police action on my block today,” Ms. Feyer said. “But there was no way I was missing Breonna’s birthday.” | “I’m exhausted. We’ve had a police action on my block today,” Ms. Feyer said. “But there was no way I was missing Breonna’s birthday.” |
| A group of volunteers sat around a table and several boxes on Thursday night on Baxter Street in Lower Manhattan. There, they provided those recently released from Manhattan’s central booking or detention complex, known as the “Tombs,” with supplies like hand sanitizer and shoelaces, as well as medical or legal advice. | A group of volunteers sat around a table and several boxes on Thursday night on Baxter Street in Lower Manhattan. There, they provided those recently released from Manhattan’s central booking or detention complex, known as the “Tombs,” with supplies like hand sanitizer and shoelaces, as well as medical or legal advice. |
| Since protests began in New York City, hundreds of people have been arrested after clashing with the police during largely peaceful demonstrations or while looting. The majority have been detained for more than 24 hours, defense lawyers said. | Since protests began in New York City, hundreds of people have been arrested after clashing with the police during largely peaceful demonstrations or while looting. The majority have been detained for more than 24 hours, defense lawyers said. |
| On Thursday morning, more than 380 people were still waiting to see a judge, raising concerns about the health of those held in cramped quarters for extended periods during the coronavirus crisis. They were scattered around the city in cells at Police Headquarters, local precinct houses and at the Manhattan jail. | On Thursday morning, more than 380 people were still waiting to see a judge, raising concerns about the health of those held in cramped quarters for extended periods during the coronavirus crisis. They were scattered around the city in cells at Police Headquarters, local precinct houses and at the Manhattan jail. |
| On Thursday night, as the 8 p.m. curfew approached, a young man in a T-shirt bounded out of Manhattan’s central booking with a whoop. He was jubilant as he approached the table, which was surrounded by various volunteers, including a doctor. | On Thursday night, as the 8 p.m. curfew approached, a young man in a T-shirt bounded out of Manhattan’s central booking with a whoop. He was jubilant as he approached the table, which was surrounded by various volunteers, including a doctor. |
| The man, who did not wish to provide his name, accepted a cigarette and laces, and said he had been held since Monday, sleeping on and off as he waited for his name to be called. | The man, who did not wish to provide his name, accepted a cigarette and laces, and said he had been held since Monday, sleeping on and off as he waited for his name to be called. |
| A volunteer also asked the man if the police or the F.B.I. had questioned whether he had ties to Antifa or another group. (The man said no.) He said he worried that his girlfriend, who had come to pick him up, would suffer the consequences of being out after curfew. | A volunteer also asked the man if the police or the F.B.I. had questioned whether he had ties to Antifa or another group. (The man said no.) He said he worried that his girlfriend, who had come to pick him up, would suffer the consequences of being out after curfew. |
| Nearby, a few others who had recently been released sat on park benches. | Nearby, a few others who had recently been released sat on park benches. |
| Volunteers gathered around a similar “jail support” station near Brooklyn’s central booking in Downtown Brooklyn on Thursday night. A nurse in scrubs sat near a long table along with several others in masks. | Volunteers gathered around a similar “jail support” station near Brooklyn’s central booking in Downtown Brooklyn on Thursday night. A nurse in scrubs sat near a long table along with several others in masks. |
| They had arranged gauze and bandages, ibuprofen and antibiotic ointment on one end of the table, along with pots of salve and calming bath salts that had been donated. | They had arranged gauze and bandages, ibuprofen and antibiotic ointment on one end of the table, along with pots of salve and calming bath salts that had been donated. |
| At another table, volunteers waited to offer stacks of clementines and large serving dishes of food to hungry people who were not expected to be released from jail anytime soon. One volunteer said most people were released between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. The group had covered its station with a blue tarp, preparing for the rain. | At another table, volunteers waited to offer stacks of clementines and large serving dishes of food to hungry people who were not expected to be released from jail anytime soon. One volunteer said most people were released between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. The group had covered its station with a blue tarp, preparing for the rain. |
| It was about 8:45 p.m. in Brooklyn on Wednesday, 45 minutes past the city’s curfew, when a peaceful protest march encountered a line of riot police, near Cadman Plaza. | It was about 8:45 p.m. in Brooklyn on Wednesday, 45 minutes past the city’s curfew, when a peaceful protest march encountered a line of riot police, near Cadman Plaza. |
| Hundreds of demonstrators stood there for 10 minutes, chanting, arms raised, until their leaders decided to turn the group around and leave the area. | Hundreds of demonstrators stood there for 10 minutes, chanting, arms raised, until their leaders decided to turn the group around and leave the area. |
| What they had not seen was that riot police had flooded the plaza behind them, engaging in a law enforcement tactic called kettling, which involves encircling protesters so that they have no way to exit from a park, city block or other public space, and then charging them and making arrests. | What they had not seen was that riot police had flooded the plaza behind them, engaging in a law enforcement tactic called kettling, which involves encircling protesters so that they have no way to exit from a park, city block or other public space, and then charging them and making arrests. |
| The kettling operations carried out by the city’s police after curfew on recent nights have become among the most unsettling symbols of the department’s use of force against peaceful protests, which has touched off a fierce backlash against Mr. Blasio and Mr. Shea. | |
| In the past several days, New York Times journalists covering the protests have seen officers repeatedly charge at demonstrators after curfew with seemingly little provocation, shoving them onto sidewalks, striking them with batons and using other aggressive tactics. | In the past several days, New York Times journalists covering the protests have seen officers repeatedly charge at demonstrators after curfew with seemingly little provocation, shoving them onto sidewalks, striking them with batons and using other aggressive tactics. |
| In an interview on WNYC on Friday, the mayor said the encircling of protesters was sometimes necessary for public safety. “I don’t want to see protesters hemmed in if they don’t need to be,” he said, but he added “that sometimes there’s a legitimate problem and it’s not visible to protesters.” | In an interview on WNYC on Friday, the mayor said the encircling of protesters was sometimes necessary for public safety. “I don’t want to see protesters hemmed in if they don’t need to be,” he said, but he added “that sometimes there’s a legitimate problem and it’s not visible to protesters.” |
| Reporting was contributed by Anne Barnard, Gabriela Bhaskar, Julia Carmel, Jo Corona, Annie Correal, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, Melissa Guerrero, Corey Kilgannon, Jeffery C. Mays, Terence McGinley, Andy Newman, Derek M. Norman, Azi Paybarah, Pia Peterson, Sean Piccoli, Jan Ransom, Dana Rubinstein, Eliza Shapiro, Ashley Southall, Liam Stack, Matt Stevens, Nikita Stewart, Katie Van Syckle and Anjali Tsui. | Reporting was contributed by Anne Barnard, Gabriela Bhaskar, Julia Carmel, Jo Corona, Annie Correal, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, Melissa Guerrero, Corey Kilgannon, Jeffery C. Mays, Terence McGinley, Andy Newman, Derek M. Norman, Azi Paybarah, Pia Peterson, Sean Piccoli, Jan Ransom, Dana Rubinstein, Eliza Shapiro, Ashley Southall, Liam Stack, Matt Stevens, Nikita Stewart, Katie Van Syckle and Anjali Tsui. |