11 people arrested after fighting at NY ‘Jews for Trump’ rally
Almost a dozen people were taken into custody during a 'Jews for Trump' political rally in New York City where opposing sides clashed during a demonstration.
Tension evolved into violence between two groups during a rally in support of President Donald Trump in New York.
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The New York Times reported a rally held by Jews For Trump in Manhattan escalated which resulted in multiple arrests on Sunday. Both counter-protesters and members of the aforementioned named group were taken into custody following the encounter. Rudolph W. Giuliani, former mayor of New York City and current lawyer to the president, came across the counter-protesters who were allegedly targeting vehicles marked for Jews For Trump.
He said he entered the scene as he traveled down Fifth Avenue after filming his radio show, according to the NYT.
“I would love to have had a campaign commercial of it and put it on in the middle of America and say, ‘Who would you prefer for the next four years?” he said to the New York Times. “This group of foul-mouthed people who don’t seem to have a vocabulary beyond three words, or these very nice Jewish people who are driving in the car and not saying anything back and not doing anything other than exercising their right to say they’re for Donald Trump.”
According to law enforcement, the pro-Trump demonstrators met the anti-Trump demonstrators when passing through Times Square. Those opposing the President and his supporters blocked cars while those driving the vehicles got out to confront the opposition. The Times reported the participants exchanged words, calling each other “fascists,’ and “anarchists” and fought over a flag before police intervened.
A Twitter account @protest_NYC ran by independent journalists captured and uploaded footage from the scene. According to the Times, all but one has been released.
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The New York City Police Department is preparing to deal with potential unrest as Election Day nears and possible protests and demonstrations in the days and weeks to follow the Times reported. Hundreds of police officers have been assigned to multiple polling stations for election day as well as early voting. Thousands of officers are also prepared to report to duty for protests following.
theGrio reported last week that a police chief in Virginia expressed concern over safety at the polls this election day as well. John Clair, the police chief of a rural town, said he is developing a plan to combat both armed citizens in support of Trump terrorizing polling stations without scaring away voters who might be offended by the uniformed police presence.
“I feel like I’m walking on the edge of a razor blade,” Clair said.
Officers are informed to remain neutral on political issues however according to the Times, the police union offers loud support of Trump. Recently, an NYPD officer was suspended without pay for shouting “Trump 2020,” over his loudspeaker while arguing with a passerby who called him a fascist.
“Law Enforcement must remain apolitical, it is essential in our role to serve ALL New Yorkers regardless of any political beliefs. It is essential for New Yorkers to trust their Police,” said Commissioner Dermot F. Shea to the news outlet.
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