More than two dozen anti-police protesters stormed the lower Manhattan headquarters of the NYPD’s largest union Wednesday, with some chaining themselves to the security turnstiles, officials said.
“Stop murdering us!” the group chanted as they entered the lobby just after 9 a.m., police said.
“We’re here today to demand three things,” one man is heard shouting in a video posted to Twitter.
“Number one: Fire Officer [Wayne] Isaacs, who murdered Delrawn Small in Brooklyn. Number two, divest from policing and invest in solutions that actually keep our communities safe. And don’t murder us!”
The protesters were all members of an activist organization called Black Youth Project 100, which describes itself online as a collection of 18- to 35- year-olds “dedicated to creating justice and freedom for all Black people.”
After being stopped by security, some of the demonstrators chained themselves to the turnstiles at the checkpoint, while others sat on the floor.
“The PBA protects cops that kill black people,” fumed protester Jewel Cadet, 28. “We are here today to say that is not OK. We are also here today to talk about defunding the police. So much money goes to funding the police, that needs to stop. That money needs to go towards black futures.”
Police cut the chains with an electric saw. At least 10 people were arrested and charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct, officials said.
“If they don’t like the policy, they should be protesting in front of City Hall,” PBA President Patrick Lynch said.
“These police officers don’t make that policy.”