A group of irate protesters looked to storm a Brooklyn community late Monday night in response to a viral video showing a violent assault — but were met with heavy resistance by police, leading to several arrests.
Demonstrators gathering at the Barclays Center on the night of April 28 headed to the predominantly Jewish community of Crown Heights to decry the April 24 assault of a woman following dueling pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protests near the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters.
The woman was not part of either protest, but appeared on the scene to investigate. The video showed the woman being barraged with a litany of slurs, and one protester, who appeared to be Orthodox Jewish, hurling objects at her as a cop attempted to pull her away.
The ugly episode led to Monday’s march in which supporters of the woman accused residents of being racist — but Crown Heights residents took to the streets themselves to renounce the accusations and instead accused the protesters of being antisemitic.
The viral video made the rounds in recent days and led to condemnation from Mayor Eric Adams, who said the NYPD was investigating the “despicable” assault.
“The NYPD is investigating a series of incidents stemming from clashing protests on Thursday that began when a group of anti-Israel protesters surrounded the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters — a Jewish house of worship — in Brooklyn,” part of the statement read. “We urge anyone with information to contact the NYPD immediately. We also ask the women who were assaulted to come forward, as we have been unable to locate them so far. I commend the NYPD officers who handled this dangerous situation with professionalism and restraint. Let me be clear: None of this is acceptable, in fact, it is despicable. New York City will always be a place where people can peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence, trespassing, menacing, or threatening. Hate has no place in our city, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
Monday’s march saw more of the same pro-Palestine rhetoric from participants, many of whom wore masks or keffiyehs and carried signs denouncing the ongoing war and calling for a “free Palestine.”
Counter protester organizer Relly Rebel told amNewYork that he put Monday’s march together to show that he would not be intimidated despite, he claimed, receiving threats of violence and warnings to stay out of the community.
“Somebody told me they were going to break my arms and my legs, a lot of racist stuff,” Relly said. “I mean death threats, it’s a lot.”
The group marched toward Crown Heights but was met with heavy resistance from the NYPD, who tried to block them with their bikes. The protesters played a cat-and-mouse game, attempting to flood through the army of cops and run down side streets.
Despite their best efforts, they never made it to Crown Heights. According to police sources, two men were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, obstructing government administration, and resisting arrest.
