Following New York City’s Pride Parade on Sunday, chaos erupted in Washington Square Park as multiple brawls and violent incidents took place, with shocking footage showing the unruly mob of revelers engaging in fistfights and other disorderly behavior. Videos captured scenes of individuals fighting and pulling hair, while onlookers watched and recorded the showdowns. One incident involved two young men throwing punches before one fell to the ground, while another showed two women briefly fighting as bystanders attempted to intervene.
Amid the chaos, one woman appeared to be bleeding and engaged in a violent altercation while the crowd cheered on. Other instances included a woman pushing another off a fountain and a brawler pulling a woman’s hair, dragging her to the ground before others stepped in. In addition to the violence, there were reports of R-rated antics such as women twerking on a vehicle and one individual climbing a light pole and grinding against it. Police officers were seen trying to control the crowd by putting up barricades around the park as tensions rose.
As night fell, the NYPD announced the closure of Washington Square Park through a loudspeaker recording, ordering people to leave. This led to arguments between police and park-goers. It was unclear if any arrests were made as a result of the fighting. Before the chaos unfolded, New York City had celebrated its 54th Pride Parade in Greenwich Village, where thousands of revelers participated in the celebration of LGBTQ rights. However, the parade was briefly disrupted by anti-Israel protesters near the historic Stonewall Inn, known as the birthplace of the gay rights movement.
During the protest, police arrested 22 individuals, with 16 given desk appearance tickets and released, while six remained in custody. The events in Washington Square Park and the subsequent clashes with police marked a stark contrast to the earlier celebratory atmosphere of the Pride Parade. The incidents serve as a reminder of the challenges faced in maintaining order and ensuring public safety during large gatherings and events in urban spaces. Additional reporting by Larry Celona provided further insight into the aftermath of the chaotic scenes that unfolded in the park.