(NewsNation) — Pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with New York City police Wednesday while trying to confront Democratic leaders at an after-party following a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Shortly after Mayor Eric Adams and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket, protesters set off smoke bombs and reportedly caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to the venue’s outdoor space.
The chaos comes less than a week after pro-Palestinian protesters heckled Harris during a rally in Michigan. The outbursts have concerned officials ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week.
Fear of violent protests ahead of DNC
However, the concern isn’t about the protests themselves, especially since there are dozens of protests planned to occur during the DNC, but rather that they will turn violent like they did Wednesday evening.
There were well over 100 pro-Palestinian protesters chanting, banging drums and waving banners outside the Harlem restaurant where the campaign event took place.
Several demonstrators barged into the restaurant at one point, interrupting an impassioned speech by the mayor, yelling “You set Palestine on fire” and calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
Adams responded, “I don’t mind you being across the street. I don’t mind that you want to raise your voice, but the election is the real fight.”
Protest turns violent
It was not long after protesters disrupted the event that the demonstrations turned violent and smoke bombs were set off.
The New York Police Department was able to defuse the situation, but not before several protesters were led away from the event in handcuffs.
NewsNation reached out to the Harris-Walz campaign for comment but has not yet heard back.
It’s not clear what group organized the protest, or if anyone involved had been arrested at prior demonstrations since the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel that launched the Israel-Hamas war.
