Logo

Police arrested 11 people — one who allegedly bit a cop’s leg — when an anti-cop protest turned violent in Manhattan, authorities said Saturday.

About 100 people converged on Midtown for Friday night’s “Defund the Police” demonstration organized by Black Lives Matter, cops said.

Six women and four men were charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental administration, unlawful assembly and assault, an NYPD spokeswoman said. The 10 were given desk appearance tickets and released, the spokeswoman said.

Angel Rivera, 19, of Manhattan, was arrested for kicking one officer in the foot and biting another officer on his thigh during the 9:15 p.m. fracas, the spokeswoman said.

Rivera was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer, two counts of assault, one count of resisting arrest, obstructing governmental justice and unlawful possession of a noxious matter.

At least some of those taken into custody were accused of attacking Daily News photographer Sam Costanza at Sixth Avenue and 54th Street — in the mistaken belief that he was a cop, law-enforcement sources told The Post.

Costanza was surrounded and struck after one of the marchers recognized him from a previous BLM protest outside the NYPD’s Sixth Precinct station house in Greenwich Village last year, according to the sources.

1 of 6
Two NYPD officers suffered minor injuries during the protest, which was attended by about 100 marchers.
Two NYPD officers suffered minor injuries during the protest.Peter Gerber
Two NYPD officers suffered minor injuries during the protest, which was attended by about 100 marchers.
There were about 100 protesters in attendance, sources said. Peter Gerber
Advertisement
The Daily News photographer was surrounded and attacked after protesters recognized him from a previous BLM protest.
Some of those arrested were accused of attacking Daily News photographer Sam Costanza at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 54th Street in the mistaken belief that he was a cop, sources said.Peter Gerber
The Daily News photographer was surrounded and attacked after protesters recognized him from a previous BLM protest.
Costanza suffered a bloody nose during the melee, police said. Peter Gerber
Advertisement

The agitated protester began yelling, “He’s a cop!”

About a dozen people surrounded the lensman, shoving him and beating him with their fists and other objects, the sources said.

The NYPD confirmed the attack, telling The Post “a member of the media” was assaulted.

Costanza, who suffered a bloody nose but was not otherwise seriously injured and declined medical attention, police said.

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy