New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn expressed concern over reports of how the NYPD's arrested of hundreds of Occupy Wall Street protesters, members of the news media, and a college in the council in and near Zuccotti Park on Tuesday.
"As I have said from the very beginning, we must balance the protesters' First Amendment rights with the rights of the residents, workers, and businesses of Lower Manhattan. We must protect the protestors' right to peaceful assembly and the local community's right to a safe and secure neighborhood," Quinn said in a statement. "Today's actions include reports of excessive force by the NYPD, and reports of infringement of the rights of the press. If these reports are true, these actions are unacceptable. The Council will seek answers to questions surrounding these reports and clarifying information regarding the arrest and treatment of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez."
Rodriguez, who represents parts of Upper Manhattan, was among those arrested and may have suffered an injury. Councilman Jumaane Williams said he witnessed Rodriguez's arrest and saw blood on his colleague's forehead.
But Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said that to the best of his knowledge Rodriguez did not claim to be hurt, the AP reported.