
New York police have made multiple arrests at Grand Central Terminal as droves of protesters took to the station to speak out against increased cop presence for the city's subway system.

Besides the action at Grand Central, protesters also vandalized station walls across the city and glued machines where commuters need to swipe their train cards to access turnstiles.

Protesters also put up locks on station doors, allowing multiple people access to train platforms without having to pay the $2.75 fare.

The various actions took place on Friday during the evening rush.

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Roughly 500 protesters convened at Grand Central on Friday night to protest increased police presence on New York City's subways

The massive group left Grand Central and stayed in Manhattan before indicating they would be ending at Restoration Plaza in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn

People could be heard 'F**k the police' as officers rushed to the scene and tried to disrupt the protest. Around five people were arrested during the protest in the station

Police apprehend a protester during Friday's demonstration in Manhattan

Roughly 500 protesters convened at Grand Central, holding signs that read 'Cops out of MTA', '$2.75 is not worth human life' and demanding full accessibility to be invested in instead of increased security.

People could be heard 'F**k the police' as officers rushed to the scene and tried to disrupt the protest.

Around five people were arrested during the protest in the station, the New York Daily News reports.

Some 1,400 police were dispatched to stations across the boroughs as a well to quell the protests. CBS New York reports that there have been no reports of NYPD officers getting injured in the protests.

Leaving Grand Central, protesters tried to continue their action at nearby Bryant Park but police prevented the majority from entering the station there.

A group of demonstrators hold a sign saying 'Abolition Now' at Grand Central during the protests

Several protesters held signs asking for the MTA to make the subways more accessible

The various actions took place on Friday during the evening rush. Some 1,400 police were dispatched to stations across the boroughs as a well to quell the protests

Still, some 100 activists managed to get access to the station at 6th Avenue and West 42nd Street and set off a green smoke bomb.

The massive group then made its way south along Broadway, indicating they would be ending at Restoration Plaza in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn.

Protest group Decolonize This Place had taken to Twitter on Tuesday to share a warning about their protests.

'The streets are ours. The trains our ours. The walls are ours. This moment is ours,' they said in the video. 'How will you and your crew build and f**k s**t up for #FTP3 on #J31 (THIS FRIDAY)? Issa mothaf****n' movement.'

A protesters hold a sign that reads '$2.75 s not worth more than human life!'

Demonstrators in Grand Central hold signs that read 'Transit is a right' (right) and 'People not investments'

Protesters also put up locks on station doors, allowing multiple people access to train platforms without having to pay the $2.75 fare

The doors contained multiple locks on them that made it difficult to try to stop fare evaders

Besides the action at Grand Central, protesters also vandalized station walls across the city

Just moments before the protests took place, NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan shared that the stations had been vandalized and that police were anticipating the protests.

'This morning, a group of individuals vandalized subway stations,' he said in the post.

'We believe the same individuals will attempt to disrupt the evening commute in the subway by causing disorder, endangering commuters – and even attempting to physically assault our officers. IT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED'

During the action, protesters took to Twitter to share that they had not witnessed acts of violence against police.

MTA spokesman Tim Minton acknowledged the vandalism but said that those who were protesting peacefully were exercising their First Amendment rights.

He added that the MTA was 'dedicating to providing safety and maintaining service.'

During the action, protesters took to Twitter to share that they had not witnessed acts of violence against police

Demonstrators making their way out of Grand Central then tried to gain access to the station at Bryant Park

A woman poses in front of a sign that reads 'No Fare, No Cops'

Demonstrators interact with police officers during a protest

A demonstrator holds a sign that reads 'Poverty is not a crime! Make the MTA Free!'

Earlier this month, New York's attorney general, Letitia James, launched an investigation into whether the New York Police Department has been targeting communities of color for subway fare evasion.

'We've all read the stories and seen the disturbing videos of men, women, and children being harassed, dragged away, and arrested by officers in our city's subway system, which is why we are launching an investigation into this deeply troublesome conduct,' she said in a release.

The statement says that James sent a letter to NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea requesting fare evasion data.

Police officers detain demonstrators during a protest against an increased New York Police Department presence in the subway system

A demonstrator in Brooklyn smiles as he is detained during a protest

A man is apprehended by police at Grand Central on Friday

A person is detained outside of Grand Central

Police hold onto a door at the Times Square subway station

Protesters flocked to Grand Central Terminal and flowed out into Midtown's streets during rush hour Friday

James and her team believe that the data and other information may shine a light on whether officers have exhibited racial biases or engaged in discriminatory practices in their enforcement of these laws and regulations throughout New York City's subway system.

'If groups of New Yorkers have been unfairly targeted because of the color of their skin, my office will not hesitate to take legal action,' she said.

'While we are hopeful that the NYPD will cooperate thoroughly with this investigation, we will not hesitate to use every investigative tool at our disposal to protect subway riders and the people of this city.'

New York's attorney general, Letitia James (pictured), has launched an investigation into whether the New York City Police Department has been targeting communities of color for subway fare evasion



