Nearly 100 protesters arrested in NYC over civil disobedience

NEW YORK -- Nearly 100 climate activists were arrested in New York City on Monday during a protest after they blocked traffic and vandalized the iconic Wall Street Charging Bull statue.

Local media reported that hundreds of people marched from downtown Manhattan's Battery Park to Wall Street starting at 10 am (1400 GMT), chanting slogans that call for more actions on climate change.

At around 10:30 am (1430 GMT), some activists poured fake blood on the Wall Street Charging Bull, before lying down on the ground in a "die-in" protest around the statue and in front of the New York Stock Exchange just a block away.

Some other activists blocked traffic on nearby streets and sidewalks during their march, making some passers-by complain about their way of protesting.

A spokesperson of the New York Police Department told Xinhua in a telephone interview that a total of 93 people were arrested due to acts of civil disobedience, including 26 at the Charging Bull, eight at the Stock Exchange and 59 at a nearby crossing at Broadway and Pine Street.

The protest was part of a series of protests organized by the UK-based Extinction Rebellion movement in some 60 cities worldwide.