Nearly a thousand protesters took to the streets of Brooklyn to demonstrate against the NYPD's recent actions and a planned crack down on New York City subway fare evaders.
The protesters started gathering in Downtown Brooklyn near Barclays Center at about 7pm Friday, with their signs reflecting the dual nature of the march.
While flashier banners bore slogans such as 'Don't let these pigs touch us,' 'F**k the police,' 'Punch that cop' and 'NYPD out of MTA,' other signs read 'Free transit,' 'Poverty is not a crime' and 'Our subways need more $ for elevators, not for cops.'
About a thousand protesters gathered in Downtown Brooklyn Friday night to protest recent NYPD actions seen as being use of excessive force and planned crack down on fare evasion
The protesters started gathering at about 7pm and unfurled signs including this one, referencing a recent subway brawl between officers and teenagers at a Brooklyn station
Protesters were said to have demonstrated for about two hours before disbanding
After a disturbing video was released showing the NYPD brutally punching black teens in a violent subway brawl protestors are chanting: “NYPD how do you spell racist?” #BlackLivesMatter
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A shot of the mass of people who were seen marching in Brooklyn, blocking traffic for hours
The demonstration was said to have been brought on in part by two headline-grabbing incidents involving the NYPD that occurred on October 25 at different Brooklyn subway stations, which drew accusations of excessive force by police
A video of the first incident showed at least 10 police officers storming onto a stopped subway car and tackling an apparently unarmed black man inside, sparking accusations of excessive force.
The 19-year-old, who had his hands up and was seated at the time of the incident, was thought to have had a gun, but did not. He was later charged with theft of services.
The second incident involved two groups of teenagers who were said to have been fighting on the platform. In the course of breaking up the fight, a police officer was caught on camera punching two black teens.
One of the teens was 15-year-old Benjamin Marshall, who was punched in the face. His lawyer said Tuesday that his family intends to file a $5million lawsuit against the officer and the NYPD, according to the New York Daily News.
Marshall 'was the straw that broke the camel’s back,' one protester told the New York Post Friday. 'I mean, it’s monstrous. My f**king tax dollars are going to this? It doesn’t make sense.'
Protesters also complained about Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recent decision to add 500 new officers to NYPD's force to patrol the transit system and root out fare evaders
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