Police made 11 arrests and recovered a Molotov cocktail at a Manhattan protest Monday evening over the death of homeless man Jordan Neely, the NYPD announced.
Neely died May 1 after a Marine restrained him by the neck when he acted erratically on a train at Broadway-Lafayette subway station, prompting numerous protests. Roughly 150 people attended a Monday demonstration in the area, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said at a press conference, and officers arrested 11 people, including news photographer Stephanie Keith; officers also found a Molotov cocktail containing an unknown liquid.
Protesters had clashed with police after they were ordered to stop blocking city streets, resulting in the arrests, according to Fox 5.
“People have a right to speak up when they believe an injustice occurs, but we cannot have people coming out to protest, what we want to be a peaceful protest, bringing out dangerous substances like this,” Maddrey said. “It could hurt members of the Department, it could hurt other protestors, it could hurt innocent people who are passing by.” (RELATED: ‘Each Situation Is Different’: Eric Adams Says Let Police Determine ‘What Happened’ To Jordan Neely)
This is a Molotov Cocktail that was found at tonight’s protest. We are committed to ensuring everyone’s right to protest. Violence has no place in civic demonstration. These actions will never be tolerated & anyone bringing weapons or dangerous substances will be arrested. https://t.co/5eS5A525SQ pic.twitter.com/VMh14FQQSD
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 9, 2023
Police said the arrests followed multiple warnings to stop illegal activity, including blocking the street and unpermitted use of a bullhorn-like device. NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell reported, without naming her, that Keith had interfered with three other arrests at the protest.
Maddrey called Neely’s death “senseless” but said, “We will not tolerate people bringing weapons and dangerous substances to peaceful protests.”
Keith told the DCNF that she will discuss her arrest during a Thursday press conference. The NYPD referred the DCNF to its Monday press conference.
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