MIAMI — Miami police say seven people were arrested for vandalizing statues of Christopher Columbus and Juan Ponce de León in the city.
The arrests happened after a chaotic scene ensued where protesters had a confrontation with police. News outlets report the altercation occurred after demonstrators spray-painted statues of Columbus and León in Bayfront Park with the letters “George Floyd,” “BLM," and a hammer and sickle.
Police say officers were assaulted and their car was damaged when they arrived at the scene. News outlets report some protesters had been blocking police cars and a video from the scene shows police tackling one protester to the ground.
Protests organizer Richard Dombroff said the demonstration was peaceful before law enforcement arrived, CBS News reported.
