Nassau Police Arrest 11 Protesters; 2 Officers Injured

MERRICK, NY — Nearly a dozen protesters were arrested and two police officers were injured Saturday during demonstrations in Merrick.

Officers stopped protesters from marching on the Meadowbrook Parkway, leading to clashes. Police arrested a small group of protesters who were trying to get the larger group to march onto the Meadowbrook Parkway, according to Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. Police were trying to keep protesters off the road for safety, officials said.

Police arrested 11 protesters — 10 adults aged 20 through 59 and a 15-year-old. Most of them are Nassau residents and one is a Suffolk resident, Curran said. Police said two officers were injured — one fractured their left ankle and required surgery, and another had bruising on their nose and a scratched cornea from being punched, Curran said.

Pictures and videos from the scene show a small group of protesters confronting a line of dozens of police officers, who then charge at the protesters. Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, who was at the protest, said police watched the protesters for four and a half hours before arresting the small group that continued to try to get onto the parkway.

Saturday was the fifth straight day of protests in Merrick. The community became a focal point for Black Lives Matter protests in Nassau after white residents, worried about looting and violence because of false information circulated on social media, tried to stop peaceful protesters from marching through their neighborhood.

Curran and Ryder released a joint statement about the arrests.

"Nassau County police officers are highly trained professionals and for days at multiple demonstrations, had positively engaged with protesters at all events, even during some tense moments," they said. "Our police officers take an oath to protect and serve and they have done that admirably. We have and continue to protect the public which includes protesters, during marches, on major roadways and during their interaction with counter protesters. We continue to support the rights of individuals who exercise their freedom of speech according to the First Amendment; however, these demonstrations must remain safe and orderly."