WATCH: New York City Council member ‘bites’ NYPD cop during protest; video sparks outrage

Zhuang faces charges of assault, resisting arrest, blocking government actions, unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct, and harassment. She was in court Wednesday evening and was released without needing to post bail, reports said.

Watch the video below:

BREAKING: NYC Councilwoman Susan Zhuang (D) caught on video BITING an NYPD officer pic.twitter.com/hy05ZVC67g

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 18, 2024

Having gained 3.3 million views, one user reacted to the post by saying, “WOW! Nuts..” Another user commented, “That’s ridiculous. There needs to be real legal penalties for these assaults on our police. Too many people are getting away with it and not facing consequences..” Meanwhile, a third user added, “Elected officials get more and more bizarre with their behavior. Wtf.” A fourth user shared, “It’s that inner demon rage.”

ABC7 New York also reported that on Thursday, Zhuang was welcomed at a community centre in Gravesend by hundreds of supporters chanting her name. She told the crowd she believed she should not have been arrested at all.

She also alleged that the NYPD was responsible for the protest’s escalation into violence. “Mistreatment by our NYPD, who I always support, it must be stopped, AAPI hate and Asian hate in any form must end. I was approached from behind, two police officers handcuffed me, one police officer pulled my hair, another officer grabbed my neck…the issue is not unique to myself, as many members in Asian community have been subject to this excessive enforcement and mistreatment by our NYPD,” she said to ABC7 New York.

Community members have been rallying against the city’s proposal for a 150-person homeless shelter for men, citing concerns about crime. On Wednesday, the protest spiralled into chaos, with one witness reporting that the council member was trying to protect an 81-year-old woman from harm.

Reports mention that the 81-year-old’s daughter was seen crying and told witness Larry Hi that if it had not been for Zhuang, her mother could have been killed or seriously hurt.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams described the situation as disturbing. She was reported as saying, “Violence is completely unacceptable and respect for our city workers doing their jobs is just not negotiable”. The City Council is seeking more information on the incident and will wait for the investigation to be completed.