NY Cops Forced to Retreat From City Hall Protest

New York police are retreating from City Hall protests after clash early Wednesday, just hours after the announcement of the City Council passing its budget, which includes $1 billion in cuts to the NYPD.

NYPD Retreats from Protests

Protesters Wednesday were seen chanting “Whose streets? Our streets!,” and other slogans, while mocking police officers and singing “Na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye.” Police have since taken a step back from the City Hall protests, after tensions escalated Tuesday.

Tuesday saw tensions soar when police began removing barricades that demonstrators had set up illegally, sending those attending the protest into a fit of rage. A video by Shelby Talcott – a reporter from the Daily Caller – shows officers removing the barricades.

Incredibly tense as protesters and cops stand off just around 6 this morning in NY. Fights are ensuing on the ground ... I’m on top of a bus. pic.twitter.com/GVTzFsjFgs

— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) July 1, 2020

Officers were pushing through the crowd, as protesters shoved back, with some using what they had on hand, like umbrellas, to block or attack officers with. One Twitter user claimed that the police stormed the protesters’ camp during the early hours of the morning, although the video does not support the claim.

NYPD stormed the camp full of Black & Brown protesters while many where sleeping, serving breakfast and cleaning...full of aggression, looking to agitate. More cops = more violence#OccupyToDefundNYPD #OccupyCityHall #DefundThePolice #DefendBlackLives pic.twitter.com/UPI7HKzXsq

— Celina 🌹 #HomelessCantStayHome (@AkofenaBK) July 1, 2020

It is unclear whether any arrests were made Wednesday morning as police has yet to announce any such information.