STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The large-scale protests over the Eric Garner grand jury decision which have overrun parts of Manhattan the last two days threatened to spill onto Staten Island Thursday night, as hundreds -- and perhaps thousands -- descended on Whitehall Ferry Terminal in an attempt to take to boat to the borough.

Police responded to both terminals in force, preventing demonstrators from boarding at Whitehall.



Here's a look at how the events unfolded:





David Dorsey of the Bronx was the only protester to make it to the Staten Island Ferry terminal.

9:56 p.m. -- Boat arrives on S.I.; commuters only

A boat has arrived at the St. George Ferry Terminal from Whitehall. Only commuters exited the boat -- no protesters, save one.

"I was protesting because all laws of discrimination count," said David Dorsey of the Bronx, as he unfolded a sign that read "Stop the Killer Cops."

"I try to make sure there's less violence and more peace."

A large number of cops remain at the terminal as a precaution.

-- Mira Wassef

9:37 p.m. -- Demonstrators leave, Whitehall re-opened

Thwarted by police in an effort to board the boat, protesters who gathered at Whitehall Ferry Terminal have left. Some said they were headed to Union Square. The front of Whitehall Terminal has been re-opened and passengers are free to enter and exit.

-- Steve Zaffarano

9:31 p.m. -- Empty boat to S.I.

An empty boat has arrived at the Staten Island terminal -- with no protesters or commuters. Emergency radio transmissions indicate service has been temporarily suspended.

One trip was canceled as a result of the demonstrators, but regularly scheduled service resumed within a half-hour, according to the DOT. There was very little impact inside Whitehall, but the ferry was delayed until a determination could be made about the large crowd outside the terminal, the DOT said.

-- Mira Wassef

9:20 p.m. -- Screening at Whitehall

Police at Whitehall are screening passengers before they let them enter the terminal. The front doors of Whitehall are closed, and only commuters are being allowed to enter the terminal. Most of the protesters -- a group that numbered thousands earlier on -- have been turned away by cops. Several dozen remain.

-- Steve Zaffarano

8:58 p.m. -- Cops descend on S.I. side

Cops have descended on the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in full force, with police cars seen racing along Richmond Terrace.

-- Mira Wassef

8:39 p.m. -- Large mob at Whitehall

A large group of protesters -- perhaps numbering in the thousands -- has assembled at Whitehall Ferry Terminal and is attempting to get to Staten Island.

According to reports on social media, cops are attempting to turn them away.

Here is live stream of the crowd from CBS:

Here are posts from Twitter:

Thousands of protesters right now at the Staten Island ferry station. pic.twitter.com/8LMT02Fqys — Breaking News Feed (@pzf) December 5, 2014