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Police: 7 arrested for vandalizing Columbus statue in Miami

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MIAMI — Miami police say seven people were arrested for vandalizing statues of Christopher Columbus and Juan Ponce de León in the city.

The arrests happened after a chaotic scene ensued where protesters had a confrontation with police.

News outlets report the altercation occurred after demonstrators spray painted statues of Columbus and León in Bayfront Park with the letters “George Floyd,” “BLM," and a hammer and sickle.

Police say officers were assaulted and their car was damaged when they arrived at the scene.

News outlets report some protesters had been blocking police cars and a video from the scene shows police tackling one protester to the ground.