New York City protesters seen 'occupying' outside City Hall
Demonstrators say the NYPD budget changes are not enough, plan to stay camped outside City Hall
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hundreds of protesters in New York City continued their occupation of City Hall overnight following Tuesday night's City Council vote that included $837 million in budget cuts and funding reallocations involving the New York Police Department.
Demonstrators were seen earlier on Tuesday in tents prior to the City Council vote. The area has been described as New York City's version of an “autonomous zone.” Protesters have demanded the city “defund the police” -- a movement demonstrators have been calling for across the country, since the death of George Floyd in police custody in late May.
Those taking part in the “Occupy City Hall” protest were later seen watching a live-streamed broadcast of the vote, as they camped out in the area, according to photos taken on social media.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Protesters block traffic en route to the Brooklyn Bridge and downtown Manhattan beside an encampment outside City Hall, Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in New York. New York City lawmakers were expected Tuesday to approve shifting $1 billion from policing to education and social services in the coming year, acknowledging protesters' demands to cut police spending — but falling short of what activists sought. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
NY CITY COUNCIL APPROVES SLASHING $1B FROM NYPD BUDGET
After the budget agreement, it appeared the protesters started to reinforce a series of barricades in the area.
Some were seen dancing to Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Video later captured the protesters barricading themselves inside City Hall Park.
Many demonstrators say the budget changes weren't enough, and some plan on staying camped outside City Hall indefinitely.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“We are being gaslit," said activist Jawanza James Williams. “This movement is about so much more than the $1 billion, and this means they don’t understand what we’re saying.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report