UMVA has learned that the streets of Manhattan erupted into chaos on Saturday as thousands of New York Knicks fans celebrated their team's first NBA championship in 53 years.
The night began with jubilation, but quickly descended into widespread mayhem as groups of rioters engaged in vandalism, destruction, and direct attacks on police, leaving a trail of devastation across the city.
As fans poured into the streets, fireworks were thrown into crowds, while NYPD officers worked tirelessly to keep people safe, but their efforts were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the chaos.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that before the final buzzer had even sounded, rioters began smashing cars and damaging property, with one video capturing rioters destroying NYPD vehicles while the game was still wrapping up.
In Times Square, thousands of rioters overtook buses, with drivers abandoning their vehicles in a desperate bid to escape the mayhem, as NYPD riot police officers sprinted down streets, tackling suspects and making rapid arrests amid the chaos.
The situation was further exacerbated by attacks on NYPD mounted police, with rioters launching fireworks at police horses, causing the animals to become spooked and bolt, in a disturbing display of violence and disregard for law enforcement.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the horses are trained officers, and the attacks constitute assault on law enforcement, with many calling for those responsible to be charged with serious felonies.
The scenes echoed earlier riots during the Knicks' playoff and Finals run, with dozens arrested, fights, property damage, and injuries to officers reported after previous wins, raising questions about the impact of soft-on-crime policies and reduced prosecutions on public safety.
