At least a dozen protesters were arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on Saturday. The march, organized by Palestinian-led group Within Our Lifetime, was held to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, marking the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 establishment of Israel.

The event saw nearly 250 people waving Palestinian flags near Ovington Avenue. Tensions escalated as NYPD officers attempted to push the crowd back, resulting in physical confrontations. Several demonstrators were tackled, handcuffed, and detained, with some being slammed against vans and others seen being loaded into police vehicles. According to videos shared online, at least one officer was filmed allegedly punching a protester.

The NYPD stated that they are investigating the incidents captured on video. Eyewitnesses and additional footage depict multiple altercations between the police and protesters, echoing past confrontations during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.

The protest was not an isolated event but part of a series of demonstrations. Two weeks prior, over 1,000 pro-Palestine protesters clashed with the NYPD near the Met Gala in Manhattan, resulting in dozens of arrests. The protests were part of a broader initiative labeled “Day Of Rage For Gaza.”

The actions taken during these demonstrations have revived discussions about police conduct and the handling of mass protests in New York City.