NYPD top cop mistakenly sprays himself during anti-Israel protest

NEW DELHI: NYPD assistant chief James McCarthy accidentally pepper-sprayed himself while attempting to disperse an anti-Israel protest on the Manhattan Bridge this Saturday. A video that has since circulated widely on social media captures the moment McCarthy, in an effort to deploy the irritant at protesters blocking traffic, ended up with a face full of pepper spray.
The chaotic scene unfolded as protesters, chanting "Rafah!" and carrying signs that proclaimed "Palestine will be free," marched across the bridge. Officers in riot gear struggled to control the demonstrators, who linked arms and moved away from the advancing police line, a New York Post report said.
The video shows McCarthy pulling out his pepper spray and, in a misstep, spraying himself. Photographs from the scene later show him in his white uniform as fellow officers poured water over his face to alleviate the effects of the spray.
The protest led to significant police action, with at least 150 demonstrators arrested by the end of the evening. The NYPD has yet to comment on the incident involving McCarthy. The situation on the Manhattan Bridge was part of larger, ongoing protests in the city against recent international events.
Israel has branded the protests antisemitic, while Israel’s critics say it uses those allegations to silence opposition. Although some protesters have been caught on camera making antisemitic remarks or violent threats, protest organizers — some of whom are Jewish — call it a peaceful movement to defend Palestinian rights and protest the war.
(With inputs from agencies)