Following the\u00a0decision not to indict a white NYPD officer in the chokehold death of an unarmed black man,\u00a0thousands of protesters took to the streets in Midtown Manhattan. Protesters were in Columbus Circle, Union Square, Times Square, and near Rockefeller Center.<\/p>\n
As of this posting, there are approximately one thousands protesters who have shut down the West Side Highway in both direction i the area on West 50th Street. The NYPD is on the scene, and arrests are already underway.<\/p>\n
The decision not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo added to the tensions that have simmered in the city since the July 17 death of Garner – a case that sparked outrage and drew comparisons to the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, where demonstrations turned violent and resulted in more than 100 arrests and destruction of 12 commercial buildings by fire.<\/p>\n
Many protesters wanted to head to the tree-lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center, but couldn’t get close because of roadblocks in the area.<\/p>\n
Hundreds headed to the West Side Highway at 49th Street where police formed a huge barricade and the highway was shutdown in both directions.<\/p>\n
Some demonstrators were arrested at 47th Street and 6th Avenue for sitting on the ground, others for trying to get through barricades.<\/p>\n
NOW: Amsterdam & E 108 St – hundreds of protesters walking north. #NYPD<\/a> Aviation overhead. Req assistance forthwith http:\/\/t.co\/KjZYHPOq0j<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 4, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n