Mayoral Candidate Shaun Donovan Arrested At George Floyd Protest

NEW YORK CITY — The first anniversary of George Floyd's death unfolded in New York City with cops arresting protesters, including mayoral candidate Shaun Donovan.

Donovan along with other Black Lives Matter protesters were hauled into police vans Tuesday morning, as seen on video tweeted by his campaign.

The protesters were blocking traffic at the Holland Tunnel.

"This is the New York City Police Department, you are unlawfully in the roadway and obstructing vehicular traffic," a loudspeaker voice can be heard on the arrest video. "You are ordered to leave the roadway and utilize the available sidewalk."

NYPD arrests @ShaunDonovanNYC at Black Lives Matter protest at the Holland Tunnel. pic.twitter.com/mEN9t6MumY
— Jeremy Edwards (@jeremymarrell) May 25, 2021

Donovan, along with the Rev. Kevin McCall, was released a short time afterward. Together, they spoke about Floyd and their act of civil disobedience.

"It is about change, it is about reform," McCall said.

Donovan said he was grateful Chauvin, who jurors found guilty of murder, faced accountability.

"I want to be clear that accountability is not justice," he said. "Real justice is what we were kneeling for today, for nine minutes and 29 seconds."

Mayoral Candidate Shaun Donovan speaks after being released from NYPD custody following George Floyd BLM protest. https://t.co/Xvt74LSSOh
— Shaun Donovan (@ShaunDonovanNYC) May 25, 2021

The protest marked the first anniversary Floyd's murder under the knee of Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin. Protesters — including Donovan, Black Lives Matter leader Hawk Newsome and Rev. Kevin McCall — planned to kneel in the roadway outside the Holland Tunnel for nine minutes and 29 seconds, the length of time Chauvin had his knee on Floyd's neck, according to PIX11.

Police, who greatly outnumbered the demonstrators, arrested and hauled them into a van, the New York Times reported.