NEW YORK, N.Y. — Seventy people were arrested Friday afternoon following a planned protest outside City Hall that escalated into a major traffic disruption when demonstrators blocked a nearby roadway, police said.
The group—comprising 36 males and 34 females—was taken into custody for obstruction of the highway after failing to comply with multiple police warnings to clear the street. According to authorities, while the protest was initially peaceful, it created serious safety risks and brought traffic to a standstill in the area.
Officers on the scene attempted to disperse the crowd before making arrests, citing the safety of both the demonstrators and passing motorists. No injuries or property damage were reported.
The NYPD did not release the specific name of the protest group or the cause of the demonstration. The department confirmed that all individuals were charged with disorderly conduct-related offenses tied to highway obstruction.
Traffic snarls prompt police action at City Hall protest
Traffic in Lower Manhattan remained congested for several hours following the incident, as police worked to restore access to the affected thoroughfares. The arrested individuals were processed at local precincts and are expected to receive desk appearance tickets.
The protest is one of several recent demonstrations in the city that have drawn attention to public safety concerns when key roadways are used as platforms for civil action.
Authorities stated that they support the right to peaceful protest but emphasized that blocking critical traffic infrastructure can lead to legal consequences.