As New York City's Pride month concluded on Sunday evening, violence erupted at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, as captured in a video.
The NYPD reported that a total of 15 individuals were arrested for various charges, including assault, disorderly conduct, and obstructing governmental administration.
Disturbances continued for hours, with videos surfacing online showing disturbing scenes. A young woman in pink was violently pulled by her hair over a concrete barrier at the park's fountain, followed by another woman being punched in the face and falling down. Both women were repeatedly punched and thrown around before their attackers fled into the crowd.
Additional footage depicted altercations between men and women, with individuals engaging in physical fights and sustaining injuries. Good Samaritans were seen assisting victims and guiding them out of the chaotic scene.
Despite the violence, some individuals paused to dance and twerk for cameras, with one person even climbing a light pole to do so. The situation escalated further as people disregarded police barriers and continued filming the unfolding events.
Washington Square Park, located near the historic Stonewall Inn, holds significance in the LGBT rights movement, stemming from protests following a police raid at the bar in 1969. The annual Pride parade, originating from a march in Manhattan, passes through Greenwich Village, paying homage to the area's historical importance.
Earlier on the same day, anti-Israel protesters disrupted the parade by vandalizing floats and obstructing the route. Despite these disruptions, organizers remained undeterred, acknowledging the protest as part of the event's activist roots.
Sandra Pérez, the executive director of NYC Pride, noted the increased protest presence at this year's events, emphasizing the movement's origins in protest and activism.
