Surveillance footage obtained by The Post shows the moment Black Lives Matter rioters smash the window of a Soho Starbucks during a lawless rampage through Manhattan, as businesses on Saturday cleaned up the mess — and vented their own anger and frustration.
The footage, recorded without sound, begins with the all-black clad protesters marching down Lafayette Street in Soho, when one decides to make a beeline for the java giant at Grand Street.
The person — wearing a full face covering — pulls an object out of a bag and begins smashing the window as another fully masked comrade shields the rioter with an open black umbrella. A third protester joins with two more umbrella shields.
The coffee shop was among dozens of businesses set upon Friday night by BLM demonstrators as part of a planned protest march that resulted in what authorities said was $100,000 in damage.
“I’m sick of this f—ing bulls–t,” said Kevin McGrath, 52, who owns the Five Points Academy boxing gym across the street from the Starbucks. “What they’re doing is not helping anyone. I’ve been in this neighborhood for 18 years, I’ve been frustrated business-wise many, many times in my life, but I didn’t pick up a brick out of frustration and break somebody else’s small business.
He continued: “It’s completely wrong . . . They all should be put in jail, as far as I’m concerned. I thought this s–t was over!”
Eight people, ranging in age from 19 to 30 years old, were arrested for rioting and other related charges late Friday, police said. One of the arrested protesters is from Portland. The other seven are from New York.
In addition to the Starbucks, six other businesses below West 22nd Street had their windows smashed, and three more were vandalized, officials said.
Those who live in the path of BLM destruction called on Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo to denounce it
“This movement, people aren’t standing up against the violence and the looting,” one Soho resident told The Post. “I think it’s a just cause, but from the governor to the mayor to people in the movement, they need to denounce the violence, and that’s not happening.
The man continued: “History has always shown that if it’s a non-violent movement, it’s much more successful. It takes us backwards.”
