NYPD: 20 Protesters Demonstrating Against Deadly Police Shootings Arrested Throughout City
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Several protesters were arrested in New York City Saturday as they were demonstrating against the police shootings that left two black men dead.
CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported the NYPD arrested 20 protesters throughout the city when the demonstrations became dangerous.
The FDR Drive was shut down by protesters as they made it onto major roads.
"People here are fighting for justice for all in a country that promises it," one protester said.
The fight against police brutality could be seen throughout the area and across the country overnight.
"If only black lives did matter, we wouldn't have to say it," one protester remarked.
The family of Delrawn Small, who was killed last week by an off-duty officer in Brooklyn, was calling for reform in the criminal justice system.
"It's not about me, it's not about any of us as individuals," Zayanahla Vines, Small's newphew, said. "It's about us, what's going on with my people, our people. It needs to stop, something needs to change."
Those marching have been moved to do so by the very public deaths of Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, and Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In Minnesota, tensions came to a head as peaceful demonstrations turned violent as protesters were arrested for throwing fireworks, bottles and rocks at police.
In Baton Rouge, police in riot gear made arrests when protesters refused to obey orders.
Despite the uprisings, President Barack Obama assured the world America stands united.
"First of all, as painful as this week has been, I firmly believe that America is not as divided as some of suggested," Obama said.
Several dozen protestors, clad in all black, also moved peacefully through downtown Newark on Saturday. The group chanted a held signs with messages that read "Black Lives Matter," and "Pardon My Skin," WCBS 880 reported.
