NEW YORK - Protests against the death of George Floyd and against police brutality turned heated again Sunday in the fourth straight day of demonstrations across New York City.

Violent clashes between police and protesters were witnessed by NY1 crews at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

In Union Square, our crews caught a fire burning in the middle of 12th Street near Fourth Avenue.

Some people also appeared to be vandalizing a GameStop nearby, though it was unclear whether the store was looted.

Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted that he checked in at Barclays Center and Union Square after things escalated.

At Barclays Center, he tweeted there were "lots of protesters moving around and plenty of police presence," around the time videos posted to social media showed violent arrests there. He tweeted that there was "limited protest activity" around Union Square as of 11:30 p.m., and later returned to Barclays Center around midnight and tweeted there were "lots of protesters spread out in smaller groups."

The tweets were met with numerous negative responses, including from City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

Johnson later called on de Blasio and the NYPD to "rethink their entire strategy immediately." He also said people instigating violence "aren't helping either."

Earlier Sunday, marches were marked by anger but little violence. The demonstrations briefly shut down the Manhattan Bridge. Crowds of protesters twisted through the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn for much of the day. 

De Blasio also ventured out into the streets of Brooklyn during the day in an attempt to calm unsettled residents.

His visit came hours before NY1 reported Sunday night that the mayor’s daughter, Chiara de Blasio, had been arrested the night before near the intersection of 12th Street and Broadway, along with approximately 100 other people who were instructed to clear the roadway but refused. Sources say she was given a desk appearance ticket for disorderly conduct.

Critics and other elected officials have criticized Mayor de Blasio for not being out on the streets as protests have blanketed the city all weekend.

Sunday afternoon, the mayor’s staff shared pictures and videos of him talking to people, including a parent who asked the mayor about the pandemic, the protests and negative encounters with the police.

Marches during the day and into the evening Sunday were marked by anger but little violence. The demonstrations briefly shutdown the Manhattan Bridge. Crowds of protesters twisted through the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn for hours Sunday. Many continue marching into the night. 

On day four of the unrest, Mayor de Blasio ventured out into the streets of Brooklyn to calm unsettled residents. NY1 reported Sunday night that according to sources, the mayor’s daughter, Chiara de Blasio, had been arrested the night before near the intersection of 12th Street and Broadway, along with approximately 100 other people who were instructed to clear the roadway but refused. Sources say she was given a desk appearance ticket for disorderly conduct.

Critics and other elected officials have criticized Mayor de Blasio for not being out on the streets as protests have blanketed the city all weekend. On Sunday, the mayor’s staff shared pictures and videos of him talking to people, including a parent who asked the mayor about the pandemic, the protests and negative encounters with the police.

In another encounter, the mayor asked a mother how remote learning was going and what her feelings were about sending her kids back to school in September.

The mayor also met with Brooklyn City Councilmember Robert Cornegy while in Brooklyn. 

Later in the evening, the mayor tweeted that he checked in at Barclays Center and Union Square after things escalated. At Barclays Center, he tweeted that there were "lots of protesters moving around and plenty of police presence," as videos posted to social media showed violent arrests there. He tweeted that there was "limited protest activity" around Union Square as of 11:30 p.m.

Earlier at Barclays Center, several massive groups, each estimated to include thousands of people, converged to express outrage over the death of black men and women across the United States who have died at the hands of the police.

Protesters said they’re tired of black men being killed by police officers.

Occasionally, the crowd chanted "Black Lives Matter” and "I can’t breathe” at police.

George Floyd said the words “I can’t breathe” as the police officer in Minneapolis pinned his neck down before he died. They’re the same words Eric Garner uttered on Staten Island as he was choked by a police officer and died in 2014.

The crowd marching in New York Sunday was racially and ethnically diverse. Below, are more sights and sounds from the demonstrations from around the city.

Parsons and Archer Avenue, Queens

Police in Queens took a knee in solidarity with protesters on Parsons and Archer Avenue Saturday. The striking moment of unity comes as thousands are again taking to the streets to demand justice for George Floyd and other black people who have been killed at the hands of police. 
 

Washington Square Park

Throughout the better part of Sunday, peaceful protests took place at Washington Square Park in Manhattan.

Chants of “no justice, no peace,” and “I can’t breathe,” the tragic last words of both George Floyd and Eric Garner, filled the air for hours on end. “Peaceful protest” even became a rallying cry for those who gathered around 4 P.M., after a weekend filled with violent clashes with police.

“I understand why some people resort to violence, but we’re not here for that,” said one local who demonstrated Sunday afternoon. “We’re here to protest in peace.”

Given the massive amount of support we’re seeing on the streets by protesters, social distancing has fallen by the wayside.

Face masks, though, are still seen being worn by many demonstrators. 

Grand Army Plaza