Top NYPD cop pepper sprays himself breaking up anti-Israel protest on Manhattan Bridge

Top NYPD cop accidentally pepper sprays himself dispersing anti-Israel protest on Manhattan Bridge. Incident sparks online reactions

NYPD Assistant Chief Accidentally Pepper-Sprays Himself During Anti-Israel Protest

 

In a scene that could be described as ironic, if not somewhat unfortunate, a high-ranking NYPD officer found himself inadvertently caught in the crossfire of his own actions during an anti-Israel demonstration on the Manhattan Bridge last Saturday.

 

Video footage circulating on social media captures the moment when NYPD Assistant Chief James McCarthy inadvertently pepper-sprayed himself while attempting to disperse protesters who had brought traffic to a halt during their march across the bridge.

 

In the chaotic scenes depicted in the video, officers clad in riot gear can be seen grappling with protesters, who, chanting "Rafah!" and holding signs declaring "Palestine will be free," appeared to link arms as they pushed back against police efforts.

 

Towards the conclusion of the clip, which quickly garnered over 230,000 views by Sunday morning, McCarthy, alongside three protesters, can be seen reaching for his pepper spray, only to inadvertently discharge it into his own face.

 

Photographs from the scene depict McCarthy, in his white uniform, receiving assistance from fellow officers who rush to pour water over his startled face in an attempt to alleviate the effects of the irritant.

 

Following the incident, McCarthy was assisted away from the tumultuous scene by fellow officers, while several others tended to his injuries.

 

The protest itself, as captured in other online videos, showcased a sizable crowd slowly making their way across the bridge, vocally expressing their opposition with chants of "We don’t want your f–king war." Meanwhile, police officers congregated on the Manhattan side, eventually converging with the demonstrators in an attempt to disperse and detain them.

 

According to an NYPD spokesperson, approximately 150 individuals were arrested during the course of the demonstration on Saturday evening. However, as of Sunday, the NYPD has yet to respond to inquiries from The Post regarding McCarthy's inadvertent pepper spray incident.

 

The incident serves as a vivid illustration of the tensions and challenges faced by law enforcement in managing large-scale protests, where the line between maintaining public order and unintended consequences can sometimes blur.