Terrifying moment car plows through BLM demonstrators in Times Square as they protest the death of Daniel Prude
SHOCKING footage of a car smashing through Black Lives Matter protesters who were holding a demonstration in Times Square has been revealed. Dozens of BLM demonstrators gathered in the rain to protest the death of Daniel Prude, a 41-year-old man who suffocated while in police custody. The crowds stood at the crossroads as they chanted: […]
SHOCKING footage of a car smashing through Black Lives Matter protesters who were holding a demonstration in Times Square has been revealed.
Dozens of BLM demonstrators gathered in the rain to protest the death of Daniel Prude, a 41-year-old man who suffocated while in police custody.
The crowds stood at the crossroads as they chanted: “No justice, no peace” at around 8pm yesterday.
The vehicle, believed to be a black Ford Taurus approached the group and the driver began furiously honking his horn as he attempted to drive through.
At least two protesters with bicycles stood in front of the car, blocking it from passing, the car seemed to be pushing against the protesters on bikes.
The chants from the BLM protesters turned to terrified screams as the driver suddenly stepped on the gas and smashed his way through, causing demonstrators to dive out of the way.
One man can be seen throwing something at the car window before the car brakes were slammed on abruptly, before the driver put his foot down again.
The peaceful protest was met with counter-protesters in the form or Black the Blue supporters, authorities said.
One protester claimed he saw others in the crowd get his by the car, but it remains unclear whether anyone was injured.
‘NO JUSTICE NO PEACE’
Horrified, the began to shout and chase the car as it fled Times Square, before resuming protests.
“I’m in shock. I’m just happy to be alive right now,” Lora Gettelfinger, 33, told Gothamist.
Qaaree McDaniel, another BLM protester said: “I saw people getting hit, so I’m trying to get out of the way.
“Luckily I made it out just in time, but the car hit my bike, and my bike hit both of my legs.
The 23-year-old noted that authorities at the scene reportedly had a blasé reaction to the incident.
“Just seeing how cops reacted, how they were so passive about it, it goes to show you where they stand,” McDaniel added.
New York Police Department took to Twitter, slamming suspicions that the vehicle was in fact a police car.
“There is an ongoing investigation into an incident in Times Square involving a black Taurus sedan. This auto is NOT an NYPD vehicle,” they wrote.
I’m in shock. I’m just happy to be alive right now
Lora Gettelfinger, protester
City officials have demanded the NYPD to review the “disturbing” action taken against peaceful protesters.
The fury comes after Daniel Prude, 41, died when he was detained by cops during a mental health crisis.
The warehouse worker was seen staggering around the streets in Rochester, New York on March 23 after his brother Joe called the police, concerned for his brother.
Disturbing police body camera footage of his arrest showed the moments leading to his eventual death.
The video shows Prude, unclothed, complying with police to put his hands behind his back and get on the ground.
The scene appears to escalate as Prude yells and spits at officers while he is on the ground.
A white hood is seen on his head as he demands to have it taken off.
One officer wrote that the hood was put on Prude as he was spitting in the direction of the officers and they were concerned about coronavirus.
An officer is seen pushing Prude’s head into the pavement for over two minutes.
He told Prude to stop spitting while another officer places a knee on the naked man’s back.
While Prude is restrained, his shouts appear to turn into grunts before water comes out of his mouth.
“You puking?”, one of the officers asked.
Another officer is heard saying: “He feels pretty cold.”
During his detainment, Prude remained naked and on the street before being loaded into an ambulance.
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He died a week later on March 30 after being taken off life support.
His death was ruled a homicide caused by complications with asphyxiation “in the setting of physical restraint.”
