NEW YORK (AP) – New York City police tangled with protesters Thursday for the second night in a row, arresting at least a dozen people at a rally that started outside the LGBTQ landmark Stonewall Inn.
The weekly demonstration drew extra police and media attention amid continued uncertainty about the result of the presidential election. It wasn’t immediately clear what led to the arrests at the “We Choose Freedom” rally, where people carrying rainbow and Black Lives Matter flags had been marching in the street advocating for transgender rights and chanting things like “all cops are bad.”
Police said there were some scuffles, but nothing like the trash fires and bottle tossing that marred a peaceful march in the city on Wednesday. Officers at Thursday night’s march were also seen shoving people, including journalists and Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate.
Police made 25 arrests and issued 32 summonses during Wednesday’s protests. Devina Singh, 24, was accused of spitting in an officer’s face.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said officers showed “an amazing amount of restraint” in dealing with protesters, but Singh told Gothamist that she was rammed with a police bike and had her arm broken as officers arrested her.
