The woman who was snatched off the street by armed men in plain clothes driving an unmarked van, later identified as NYPD officers, was charged with various misdemeanors and released released on her own recognizance with a desk appearance ticket, WABC-7 reported.
Nikki Stone, the protestor seen being abducted on the video, was processed for five hours at a police station before being released. She was charged with criminal mischief, making graffiti and possession of a graffiti instrument for five separate incidents.
nypd is out here KIDNAPPING protesters off of the street pic.twitter.com/LCCBj0Ipp8
— lee (@Naddleez) July 28, 2020
In the video of the incident, an unmarked white van drives quickly into an intersection where Stone is seen skateboarding at the front of an anti-police violence protest. No fewer than five armed men jump out of the van and throw Stone to the ground before pushing her into the van.
One of the man aggressive charges at a bystander. At no time can the men be heard identifying themselves as police. As the abduction was happening, a number of police on bicycles come onto the scene to form a perimeter to hold off protesters.
Both Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have criticized the action of the police, calling it “disturbing” and “troubling.” Many city and national leaders have questioned the need for the use of force in detaining a non-violent offender.