[NYPost] Police arrested 11 people — one who allegedly bit a cop’s leg — when an anti-cop protest turned About 100 people converged on Midtown for Friday night’s "Defund the Police" demonstration organized by Black Lives Matter, cops said.
Six women and four men were charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental administration, unlawful assembly and assault, an NYPD spokeswoman said. The 10 were given desk appearance tickets and released, the spokeswoman said.
Angel Rivera, 19, of Manhattan, was arrested for kicking one officer in the foot and biting another officer on his thigh during the 9:15 p.m. fracas, the spokeswoman said.
Rivera was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer, two counts of assault, one count of resisting arrest, obstructing governmental justice and unlawful possession of a noxious matter.
At least some of those taken into custody were accused of attacking Daily News photographer Sam Costanza at Sixth Avenue and 54th Street — in the mistaken belief that he was a cop, law-enforcement sources told The Post.
Costanza was surrounded and struck after one of the marchers recognized him from a previous BLM protest outside the NYPD’s Sixth Precinct station house in Greenwich Village last year, according to the sources.
The agitated protester began yelling, "He’s a cop!"
About a dozen people surrounded the lensman, shoving him and beating him with their fists and other objects, the sources said.
The NYPD confirmed the attack, telling The Post "a member of the media" was assaulted.
Costanza, who suffered a bloody nose but was not otherwise seriously injured and declined medical attention, police said.
The Daily Mail has photos and a video, adding the following summary:
- 'F**k 12' anti-police protest took place in Midtown Manhattan on Friday night
- Peaceful demonstration turned violent after cops allegedly arrested one protester on Sixth Avenue
- Officials say 11 people were arrested overall and two police officers were left with injuries
- A photographer for the New York Daily News was reportedly left with a broken nose after being 'jumped by 10 to 15 protesters'
- The activists allegedly mistook the photojournalist for a police officer
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