New York City: Police clear protest camp in front of City Hall

About a month ago dozens of protesters opened a protest camp against police violence and racism near City Hall in the US city of New York. Now security forces have cleared it. The city officials advanced meter by meter in closed rows and finally disposed of tents, camping chairs and other items.

–

The camp in Manhattan was created in the wake of nationwide protests against police violence and racism. According to media reports, many of the early protesters had left the camp in the past few weeks. Instead, it attracted the homeless. There were several arrests during the eviction.

–

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had only announced on Tuesday that the tents would be removed at some point. “We don’t allow camps in this city,” said the mayor. He gives priority to public safety, even if he respects the right to protest. De Blasio had responded to the movement’s demands by subordinating one billion dollars of the police budget of six billion and thousands of officials to another agency.

–