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Video appears to show a patrol ramming a crowd 1:54
(CNN) - Police are investigating an incident after a video reportedly shows a New York City Police Department vehicle ramming several people during protests Saturday following the death of George Floyd.
The 27-second video, posted on Twitter, shows a New York police car in front of a crowd throwing objects at the vehicle. There is a barricade in front of the vehicle. The car appears to drive toward the barricade, knocking down protesters. Screams are heard while a person is seen jumping on top of the truck. It is not known if anyone was injured.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the incident is under investigation, but stressed that officers may have had no other choice.
“I am not going to blame the agents who were trying to deal with an absolutely impossible situation. The people who were fencing that police car did something wrong, and created an unsustainable situation, "he said. “I wish the agents had found a different approach, but let's start at the beginning. The protesters in that video did the wrong thing by surrounding the police car, period. ”
However, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized de Blasio's comments as "unacceptable."
"As mayor, this police department is under your leadership," he tweeted Sunday morning.
"It is wrong to defend and make excuses for New York police to put SUVs against crowds. Do it well. Descale. ”
@NYCMayor your comments tonight were unacceptable.
As older, this police department is under your leadership.
This moment demands leadership & accountability from each of us. Defending and making excuses for NYPD running SUVs into crowds was wrong.
Make it right. De-escalate.
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 31, 2020
The mayor emphasized Saturday night that he had spoken to community leaders and there is a possibility that protesters are trying to incite violence, including those who have come to New York City from other places.
"The people who represent the communities in our city and the residents of our city do not join the negative and violent protests," de Blasio said.
CNN contacted the NYPD and the offices of the New York Governor and Attorney General for comment.
Previously, Governor Andrew Cuomo said he had asked the attorney general to independently review the events of Saturday's protests that included protesters who clashed with police in Brooklyn and other districts.
CNN's Christina Zdanowicz and Laura Ly contributed to this report.
George Floyd New York