On one of Newark’s biggest nights hosting MTV’s Video Music Awards for the first time, about 200 protesters gathered outside the Prudential Center on Monday, demanding clean water amid the city’s escalating lead crisis.

“We want our water free, we don’t need no MTV!” residents shouted as guests waited in line to watch celebrities like Taylor Swift and Lil Nas X perform on stage. Demonstrators held signs that read “Not Another Flint,” “Get the Lead Out,” “Fix Newark Now,” and “Governor Murphy Fix Our Pipes.”

The protesters, who mostly gathered along the brand new Mulberry Commons Park across from the arena, were in stark contrast to the music world superstars parading the red carpet in bedazzled dresses and suits.

Newark has had elevated lead levels in its tap water since 2017 but this month the city began distributing bottled water after alarming tests questioned the reliability of 39,000 water filters the city had given out.

Earlier on Monday, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., announced a $120 million loan for Newark to expedite the replacement of 18,000 lead service lines that are causing lead to leach into the water. The work is expected to take less than three years.

But the distribution of bottled water -- which came at the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency -- has ramped up public pressure and national attention to the problem. For many, the drastic measure rocked their trust in the administration’s handling of the nearly three-year long issue.

The Newark Water Coalition organized the protest, gathering at Edison Place and Mulberry Street near a phalanx of police officers on horseback.

Protesters gathered outside Prudential Center on Monday to demand clean water as the city hosted the VMAs for the first time.

“We are ready to fight for clean water for Newark, we have been suffering for years, many years, crying out for help to our elected officials who have not stepped up to save us,” resident Shakima Thomas, who has been at the center of the organizing efforts, said in a video posted on social media during the protest.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said five protestors were arrested after they tried to crash secure areas of the concert but overall disruptions were minimal given the crowd.

“We knew the protestors were coming and we set aside an area for them to gather," Ambrose said in a statement.

Some of the Newark clean water protest happening before the #VMAs. Full video soon. Newark Water Coalition is here. “We want our water free. We don’t need no MTV,” demonstrators say. “Clean water now.” They also chanted about “racist police” next to police officers on horseback. pic.twitter.com/WMdbVHdrJY — Amy Kuperinsky (@AmyKup) August 26, 2019

“Apparently, some were not satisfied with that arrangement and they tried to breach secure areas ... We had a few – and I mean a very few – who tried jumping police barricades. When that happens, it becomes a public safety issue."

The VMAs recognizes the best music videos of the year and includes live performances from celebrities. It’s the first time in 34 years it touches down in New Jersey.

Taylor Swift, who was spotted at a Target in Jersey City on Friday, is opening the show, then Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Rosalía, J Balvin and Bad Bunny will take the stage at the VMAs.

Posted by Extinction Rebellion New Jersey on Monday, August 26, 2019

There was a heavy police presence in Newark’s downtown as protesters marched from Newark Penn Station to Prudential Center downtown. Some called in Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency.

Murphy has said he won’t do so.

Ambrose said overall the night was successful.

“The public cooperation made this a successful night,” he said. “I’d like to thank all our downtown businesses and partners for heeding our warnings about potential gridlock and allowing people to work from home. The traffic was manageable, even when the celebrity limousines began to arrive.”

** can’t get any service / might be double posting **#VMAs attendees initially scared, now starting to cheer activists and protestors from @CleanWater4Nwk, @ExtinctionR NJ, @XR_NYC as they shut it down pic.twitter.com/Xc43QrTwEt — Chris Bolman 🔆 (@ChrisBolman) August 26, 2019

Protesters gathered outside the Prudential Center in Newark Monday to demand clean water as the city hosted the VMAs.

NJ Advance Media reporter Chris Sheldon contributed to this report.

Read more of NJ.com’s coverage of New Jersey water issues here.

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook.

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