The New York Police Department (NYPT) reports that a woman was arrested and six people were injured when she drove her car into a crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters on Friday afternoon in the American newsletter Manhattan. A group took to the streets to protest against the detention of people by federal immigration officials, especially in New Jersey to highlight a group of prisoners on hunger strike under federal detention at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (IS). The car sped off in a terrifying, lightning-fast event, with eyewitnesses saying protesters were sent “flying” and people screaming and running in panic. The woman in the car, Kathleen Casillo, has been charged with reckless endangerment. Casillo, 52, was released early Saturday morning and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 22, officials said. The NYPD said it received a 911 call at 4.08pm that it had been “hit by multiple pedestrians” at the intersection of 39th Street and Third Avenue in the Murray Hill area east of Manhattan’s Midtown. When officers arrived at the scene, they met with injured pedestrians, whom they described as “roadside alert and alert.” During the initial police investigation, police said the pedestrian attack included those involved in a street fight. Accounts posted on social media recalled a dangerous scene. Police described the parked car as a black 2019 BMW sedan, surrounded by protesters before suddenly entering the crowd – knocking people and bicycles. A video appeared to show a small group of protesters gathering around the sedan, and as it slowly approached the intersection a person appeared to be leaning against the front of the car that Castillo was driving. Then the car suddenly accelerated, knocking aside those who blocked it, as well as those at the intersection advancing several yards. Video taken from the other side shows people running, with a person falling down as the sedan passes by. According to Reuters, there were about 50 people in the crowd. Signs of protest are seen on the ground after a car struck several people during a demonstration on December 11, 2020 in New York City. Photo: Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images Tom Ella, who recorded one of the videos showing the incident, said he heard the engine roar and then saw the car speed up. “Seeing them really hits people, it’s traumatic, it’s scary,” he noted. Christian Rezekue, of Manhattan, told the New York Times that the group was chanting “Release everyone and release them now.” Suddenly, he realized the protesters were scattered across the intersection. “I saw wrecks and broken bones,” he said. Rezegui said cyclists who handled traffic control during the protest were the most affected by the crash. In many places immigration prisoners have fasted to highlight their plight and to seek and release human rights representation and exercise in accordance with pre-eminent conditions, U.S. and international law. They also oppose the risk of contracting the corona virus while detained. Sofia Wickerman, of Denver, Colorado, said people and bicycles were thrown into the air when the car hit the crowd. “I hear people screaming in front of me, I look behind me, that woman is plowing,” said Wickerman, who was part of the struggle. “I see bodies flying.” Wickerman said the protest began in Times Square and was intended to draw the attention of many New Jersey immigrant prisoners on hunger strike. A Reuters photographer who was there confirmed that the protest was held in solidarity with nine undocumented people holding ice. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the fast. The incident has been one of many among New York City protesters and vehicles since protests against formal racist, police brutality and racist government policies began in the United States in late spring. In May, two NYPD patrol cars collided with a group of protesters in Brooklyn. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed concern about the incident, but the Times reported that it was using force commensurate with the circumstances. About a week later, a man was arrested in Brooklyn for allegedly driving at least one person when cyclists gathered around his car. In July, an SUV hit protesters on 42nd Street. According to Godhamist, the driver was not arrested or charged. In September, a rebel drove a car into a crowd of PLM protesters in Times Square. It is alleged that the driver did not face any charges. Similar incidents have taken place between protesters and cars elsewhere in the United States since the PLM protests began. From May 27 to September 5, there were at least 104 people. Ninety-six involved civilian drivers and eight related law enforcement agencies, USA Today reported, citing data from an anti-terrorism researcher. Analyst Ari Weil told CNN that 43 of those incidents were malicious. Weil felt that internet memes celebrated and provoked these attacks. Following Friday’s incident, the NYPD also arrested Nicole El Besuten, a protester, on charges of obstruction of public administration and disorderly conduct. They accused Besu of interfering with paramedics while trying to provide medical treatment. Casillo could not be reached immediately on three phone numbers associated with his name. It is not clear if she has a lawyer. In another case, a lawyer representing Besutan did not immediately respond to a request for comment. .
Source