SUV Plows Into Group Of Black Lives Matter Protesters In New York City

The driver of a black SUV is still at large after plowing through a group of Black Lives Matter protesters on bicycles on Saturday evening in New York City.

Bicyclists were participating in a “justice ride,” heading south on Fifth Avenue just after 7 p.m., when the driver drove through the group of them.

A video of the incident shows the SUV driving before coming up on a dense group of cyclists, crashing into them, and then leaving the scene. Screams of horror are heard in the background, and a bike is seen on its side with a bent back tire. A person lies on the ground as people start to surround them and shout for a medic.

Two cyclists suffered non-life threatening injuries in the incident, one 19-year-old woman was taken to Bellevue Hospital, and a 37-year-old man refused medical attention at the scene.

The woman, Allison Eng, posted that she has “a potential fractured right heel, but everything else is fine.”

“My dad and I (and occasionally my younger sister) have been attending these justice rides for multiple weeks,” she wrote. “There has never been a moment where we felt unsafe.”

View this post on Instagram

A message from Justice Rider and Hero @a.llison , who was struck by the black SUV yesterday. Her strength and encouragement in the face of life threatening danger can’t be stated enough. Last night, after going to Bellevue Hospital to secure their bikes, we honored Allison’s words and completed the ride in her honor. We were louder and more bold. Because of Allison, Phillip, and more, we refused to be broken , and we will not break. At the same time, no justice, no peace! We will relentlessly pursue justice for Allison, Phillip and all other victims of this act of violence. . . Thank you community for being there to support her during this moment! She thanks you all ! We also thank you Allison 🙏🏾

A post shared by Street Riders NYC (@streetridersnyc) on Oct 4, 2020 at 9:49am PDT

According to StreetsBlog, police said they have the license plate number of the car, though it is unclear if the owner of the vehicle was driving it at the time. No arrests had been made as of Sunday.

The organizers of the “justice ride,” Street Riders NYC claimed that the incident occurred after the driver of the vehicle began arguing with volunteers at the event who told him to watch out for the upcoming cyclists.

“One of the volunteers yelled out to organizer, Peter, who immediately cut across and pulled up as the driver was berating and yelling the N word at the volunteer,” the organization wrote on their Instagram. “His own passenger was also trying to restrain him. The driver was also talking about getting a ‘strap’ from the vehicle.”

Their recollection of the event continued: “At some point , black riders came across the location and upon hearing the racial insults, were upset and responded to him. He once again threatened to pull a firearm while retreating into vehicle, yanked his door open, hitting a volunteer’s hand, shut door, and began revving engine, nudging forward into the volunteers who then momentarily stepped aside. He then floored the vehicle knocking aside one black rider who had been engaging with him, and down the street, clipped a rider who was thrown off his bike. Further down he knocked over a female rider then sped down and ran away.”

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Hello Community. Yesterday as we rode down 5th Ave during Justice Ride XV, a black SUV parked on the right side put on indicators to pull out. Our blockers were already riding by and stopped to notify the driver of riders coming. The driver, a Caucasian male, jumped out and approached them in fighting stance . One of the volunteers yelled out to organizer, Peter, who immediately cut across and pulled up as the driver was berating and yelling the N word at the volunteer. His own passenger was also trying to restrain him. The driver was also talking about getting a ‘strap’ from the vehicle. Peter pacified that escalation and the volunteers were advised to not engage , but remain quiet , and hold ground to protect riders . More volunteers came and formed a ring round the front . The situation was pacified very temporarily and the ride continued but the driver almost instantly resumed hurling insults at the volunteers and even riders. At some point , black riders came across the location and upon hearing the racial insults, were upset and responded to him. He once again threatened to pull a firearm while retreating into vehicle, yanked his door open, hitting a volunteer’s hand , shut door, and began revving engine, nudging forward into the volunteers who then momentarily stepped aside . He then floored the vehicle knocking aside one black rider who had been engaging with him, and down the street, clipped a rider who was thrown off his bike. Further down he knocked over a female rider then sped down and ran away. Some riders and volunteers chased after him and got the license plate while others rushed to attend to the injured. One rider has a potentially fractured heel . No other major injuries at this point. There is an open case and NYPD are investigating . We will update more. Thanks for all who are supporting us amid this tragic incident, which could have happened to any other ride or protest, unprovoked. We will not be broken .

A post shared by Street Riders NYC (@streetridersnyc) on Oct 4, 2020 at 9:39am PDT

This incident is the most recent of many instances in the United States of drivers plowing through groups of Black Lives Matter protestors. Last month, a driver sped through a crowd of protestors in Time Square, though no one was injured.