NEW YORK — Black Lives Matter Greater New York co-founder Hawk Newsome turned himself in Monday to face assault and harassment charges stemming from a confrontation at a Harlem political rally last week, where he’s accused of attacking a fellow activist.
According to police and witnesses, Newsome allegedly punched Manhattan Democratic District Leader William Allen, 66, and threw a bullhorn at him during a heated protest outside the Harlem office of City Councilman Yusef Salaam — one of the exonerated members of the Central Park Five — around 10:45 a.m. on Friday.
The demonstration was organized to protest the removal of community funding from Tiffany Fulton, executive director of Silent Voices United Inc., a local nonprofit. What triggered the scuffle remains unclear.
Before surrendering to authorities at the 28th precinct, Newsome rallied supporters online to witness his voluntary arrest, likening his situation to civil rights struggles of the past.
“Recognize this as a step in the right direction,” Newsome said. “Not only do we fight racism — systemic, black racism — we fight the black faces of systemic oppression. Martin Luther King Jr. got locked up 26 times. This is a sign that we are fighting.”
Police charged Newsome with attempted felony assault, attempted misdemeanor assault, and harassment. He has denied all allegations.
“The charges against me are false,” he insisted. “This person is saying I hit him, but there’s no video evidence of that. There were 30 cameras out there — nobody has that footage. The only thing that was hurt was his pride.”
As officers escorted him from the precinct, Newsome described the case as “a political attack,” adding, “I’m not even thinking about the charges. I’m thinking about Al Sharpton and Yusef Salaam using the same justice system they once vowed to fight, against me.”
Supporters echoed his claims, calling the accusations “politically motivated” and “trumped-up.”
Fulton, whose nonprofit funding was at the center of the protest, condemned the turmoil that erupted.
“To see this kind of political weaponization in Harlem is heartbreaking,” she said. “We are witnessing firsthand how speaking truth to power comes with consequences when the system feels threatened. The domino effect of ignorance, gossip, and misinformation destroys good people while the guilty hide behind power.”