Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

7 Protesters Arrested at Rally for Black Lives Matter in West Village: NYPD

By Dusica Malesevic | August 12, 2016 5:48pm

MANHATTAN — Seven people were arrested Thursday during a large rally supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, police said.

Jews for Racial & Economic Justice organized the march that began at the arch in Washington Square Park at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The protesters then walked down Washington Place to West 10th Street, ending in front of the Sixth Precinct at 233 W. 10th St. 

As part of a planned civil disobedience, seven protestors sat in the street in front of the Sixth Precinct stationhouse, said Leo Ferguson, a community organizer for the group.

"We sat down in the street and refused to move," he told DNAinfo New York. "We wanted to prove in a powerful way that we have a deep stake in Black Lives Matter."

After about a half an hour, according to Ferguson, they were arrested for blocking vehicular traffic and refusal to obey a lawful order. They were released around midnight, he said.

The NYPD confirmed that seven protestors were arrested at around 8:30 p.m. in front of the Sixth Precinct, but not the names of those taken into custody.

Jews for Racial & Economic Justice's Shoshana Brown said the rally was part of a month of actions as part of a "powerful show" of solidarity between Jews and the Black Lives Matter movement. 

The rally was also to push the New York City Council to pass the "Right to Know Act," said Ferguson.

The bill before the council would require police officers to inform people they can refuse a search if there is no probable cause or warrant.