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LIVE UPDATES: Quick clash between NYPD, demonstrators in rainy Brooklyn headlines quiet night of George Floyd protests Wednesday

By Posted on
Manhattan protests, Day 7
Protesters move through 8th Avenue near 14th Street. (Photo: Alex Mitchell/AMNY)

For the seventh consecutive day in New York City, demonstrations have begun protesting police brutality and the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25. 

While a majority of the protests have been peaceful, clashes with police along with looting and riots have flared up in locations around the city. 

It prompted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to institute an 8 p.m. curfew through Sunday, though looting and rioting have still taken place after that time in recent days. 

Wednesday’s protests in the city have begun in Brooklyn on the Eastern Parkway where large numbers are gathering backed by support from passersby: 

Described as “peaceful,” and “positive,” the protesters began moving up Bedford Avenue toward Domino Park in Brooklyn (h/t Lucas Brady Woods, Columbia Journalism School): 

A police presence is not far behind, however (h/t Kristin Toussaint, Fast Co. Impact):

https://twitter.com/kristindakota/status/1268278488659828736

Things couldn’t get any more peaceful when they reached Norman Ave:

The mood remained light, described as “festive” by amNewYork Metro’s Ben Verde, as the demonstration arrived at Domino Park:

Across Brooklyn in Bay Ridge, another sizable group of protesters formed on 3rd Avenue and peacefully moved throughout the area — where their support only grew — as they made their way toward Barclays Center:

When they made it to 5th Avenue near 21st Street, the protesters took a symbolic knee of solidarity:

https://twitter.com/_jessicaparks/status/1268302512768995330

Other Brooklyn protesters who started near the Barclays Center and worked their way to the Manhattan Bridge provided a change of pace compared to tense demonstrations in recent evenings:

At the Manhattan Bridge, the group addressed police officers escorting them while attempting to portray a message of peace:

Those who remained at the Barclays Center were soon joined by those who began on 3rd Avenue, with demonstrations becoming livelier:

https://twitter.com/_jessicaparks/status/1268316444447723521

https://twitter.com/_jessicaparks/status/1268319016738791431

As the sun went down in Brooklyn, pockets of protesters remained outside past curfew:

As it grew darker, run-ins with the police began:

Things continue to grow more heated (WARNING: NSFW LANGUAGE):

Neither side was afraid to use excessive force, either:

It was a quick crescendo on an inclement evening as police and protesters cleared the area shortly after:

But there was still activity throughout the borough:

NYPD wasn’t shy about using excessive force on citizens, either:

https://twitter.com/joshfoxfilm/status/1268366550475603969

In Manhattan, a large number of protesters, described as “peaceful” are heading up 5th Avenue at 14th Street. Businesses in the area near Greenwich Village has been impacted by riots and looters in recent nights:

They even received support in the traffic that’s become a common byproduct of these demonstrations:

After stopping at 8th Avenue and 14th Street, the crowd stopped momentarily before they were warned by police to keep moving or face disorderly conduct charges. They obliged:

The police presence escorting the protest at its perimeter can be seen here:

The decibel levels increased as they made their way to Central Park South and Columbus Circle:

Meanwhile, at Union Square, smaller crowds continued demonstrating:

As NYPD began to mobilize shortly before the 8 p.m. curfew, final displays of solidarity were shown before crowds moved — with some dispersing:

Areas that were riddled by looting and rioting earlier this week were silent after curfew:

So was one of the central hubs of the Big Apple:

All while a red-lit Empire State Building surveyed quiet midtown: 

In Queens, people began congregating at approximately 4 p.m. ET at Hollis Avenue despite some anti-protesters creating a “menacing” atmosphere around the borough. (h/t Dean Moses)

The spirits of those present had been lifted that day by the news that the charges against Chauvin were upgraded from third-degree murder to second-degree murder in Minneapolis on Wednesday:

For more information on the Hollis protests, visit QNS.com.

At Queensbridge Park in Long Island City, people gathered for a vigil for George Floyd under the watchful eye of the police, which began at 7 p.m.:

Vigilgoers had largely dispersed by 7:45 p.m. For more information, visit QNS.com.

Follow amNY.com for up-to-the-minute updates of the day’s protests.

About the Author

Joe Pantorno

Pantorno is the executive sports editor of amNewYork — a position he has held since January 2020. He covers the New York Mets and New York Islanders while overseeing day-to-day operations of the department. His previous stops include Bleacher Report and Metro New York while his work has been featured in the New York Post, Newsday, and Yahoo! Sports.

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