Viral NYPD Arrest Video Alarms Officials, Citizens Fearing Repeat Of Portland Federal Agent Tactics

TOPLINE

Video captured by bystanders of plainclothes NYPD officers taking an 18-year-old woman into custody in an unmarked van set off alarm bells on social media Tuesday night, as both officials and citizens raised concerns that the arrest resembled ones conducted by federal agents in Portland, Oregon.

KEY FACTS

Crucial quote

“We can’t let what is happening in Portland happen here,” wrote Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer on Twitter. “Part of police accountability is ordinary citizens knowing who is policing them. When you can’t identify a vehicle taking someone, it causes alarm. Police can’t de-escalate situations if they don’t identify themselves.”

Big number

12. According to CBS’ New York City affiliate, NYPD made a dozen additional arrests of protesters following Stone’s, mostly for disorderly conduct. Seven police officers were injured during Tuesday night’s protest activity. 

Key background

The deployment of federal agents to Portland, Oregon has sparked a national conversation over policing, protests, and the Trump administration’s use of the Department of Homeland Security. Nightly protests outside the city’s federal courthouse have turned violent, as protesters clash with agents, resulting in injuries. In New York City, protests following George Floyd’s Memorial Day killing have largely quieted down. Some amount of activity continues almost daily, however, and Tuesday’s protest proceeded to Madison Square Park, followed by Times Square.

Further reading

NYPD Defends Controversial Arrest At Kips Bay Protest After Video Sparks Outrage On Social Media (CBS 2 New York)

City officials demand answers after woman’s controversial arrest during Manhattan protest (ABC 7 New York)

Video Shows NYPD Officers Throwing Protest Leader Into Unmarked Van (Gothamist)

More Federal Forces Heading To Portland (Forbes)