Thousands Protest Police Brutality While NBC Airs Celebrity Concert
Thousands of Eric Garner protestors descended on midtown Manhattan Wednesday night, blocking streets and standing off with police while just blocks away, a star-studded lineup of celebrities blithely sang Christmas carols for a live NBC broadcast.
As they moved through Manhattan, protestors chanted both the Ferguson rally, "Hands up don't shoot," and "I can't breathe"—one of the last things Garner said before dying in NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo's chokehold this summer.
— Amanda M. Sakuma (@iamsakuma) December 3, 2014
Some protestors staged "die-ins" at Grand Central station and, later, on the street in midtown.
Die-in at #GrandCentral #EricGarner pic.twitter.com/xU28xYKzkd
— Tony Aiello (@AielloTV) December 3, 2014
Laying down in the street #EricGarner https://t.co/n3vx9gTdmo
— Jinx (@Jersey_Jinx) December 4, 2014
By evening, thousands of people had joined the march, while just a few blocks away at Rockefeller Center NBC's star-studded Christmas tree lighting ceremony continued on as planned with no mention of the nearby demonstrations.
Alternating chants of "I can't breathe!" and "fuck your tree!" 47th and 6th pic.twitter.com/2YRGMxiPou
— Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) December 4, 2014
Demonstrators at NYC's Radio City Music Hall protest grand jury decision in Eric Garner case. pic.twitter.com/86uY2YLnZj
— ABC News (@ABC) December 3, 2014
NYPD forms a line with kettling net on 5th Avenue and 46th Street. Looking north. (Photo: @aymanndotcom) pic.twitter.com/C1IfqeEb1C
— ANIMALNewYork (@ANIMALNewYork) December 3, 2014
The mob scene at 50th and Madison. naNearly impassable. https://t.co/GyDcmNZqcp
— Ryan Gorman (@GormoJourno) December 4, 2014
Update 7:45 p.m.
According to reports, police officers are beginning to arrest protestors.
At least 3 women arrested at 6th and 47th. #ericgarner pic.twitter.com/59xxAC8iF9
— Ivan Pereira (@IvanPer4) December 3, 2014
Arrests going down at 47th and 6th Avenue. Massive standoff between police and protesters. pic.twitter.com/b9Xcgqhuzo
— ANIMALNewYork (@ANIMALNewYork) December 4, 2014
WSJ reporter Pervais Shallwani says at least 16 people were arrested so far near Rockefeller Center, apparently after trying to breach police barriers.
Update 7:55 p.m.
The protest is reportedly heading towards Time Square.
Times Square, here we come https://t.co/n7nBeDwP0c
— Amanda M. Sakuma (@iamsakuma) December 4, 2014
Update 8:45 p.m.
Protestors have largely shut down the West Side Highway.
This is the West Side Highway right now. #EricGarner https://t.co/30FsZMcmNn
— Ryan Gorman (@GormoJourno) December 4, 2014
Update 9:15 p.m.
NBC's tree lighting ceremony hosts—Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Matt Lauer and Natalie Morales—politely acknowledged the protests raging outside at the end of the broadcast.
Matt Lauer: We have to admit it's been a bit of an emotional and even tumultuous day, here in New York City.
Savannah Guthrie: It's been a day of protests, in some cases even close to where we're broadcasting tonight because of a grand jury decision earlier in the day.
Al Roker: And following what happened in Ferguson, there's obviously a lot of difficult feelings out there.
Matt Lauer: And so, even as we do welcome the holiday season, we have to say we hope it will be a healthy and joyous and a peaceful season for everyone.
Natalie Morales: [smiles, nods]
[There was a video here]
[image via AP]