Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday welcomed peaceful mass protests in the Big Apple over the — even as he has staunchly barred other demonstrations, religious gatherings and fined small businesses $1,000 for reopening.“I want to just say anyone who wants to protest, we’re going to protect your right to protest, but please also respect [that] the cop in front of you did not create the problem,” de Blasio said .”He was referring to the hundreds of activists Thursday — in violation of the city’s pandemic lockdown rules — in the latest national demonstration sparked in the days since a handcuffed...…Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday welcomed peaceful mass protests in the Big Apple over the — even as he has staunchly barred other demonstrations, religious gatherings and fined small businesses $1,000 for reopening.“I want to just say anyone who wants to protest, we’re going to protect your right to protest, but please also respect [that] the cop in front of you did not create the problem,” de Blasio said .”He was referring to the hundreds of activists Thursday — in violation of the city’s pandemic lockdown rules — in the latest national demonstration sparked in the days since a handcuffed...WW…

Sign up for our to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.The Big Apple marked a major turning point in its battle against the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday with no new confirmed deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March 12.“In the face of extraordinary challenges, New Yorkers have gone above and beyond to keep each other safe throughout the crisis,” said City Hall spokeswoman Avery Cohen.“With hope on the horizon, we will continue to do everything we can to reopen safely without losing sight of the progress we’ve made,” Cohen said.By Friday, city health officials had...…Sign up for our to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.The Big Apple marked a major turning point in its battle against the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday with no new confirmed deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March 12.“In the face of extraordinary challenges, New Yorkers have gone above and beyond to keep each other safe throughout the crisis,” said City Hall spokeswoman Avery Cohen.“With hope on the horizon, we will continue to do everything we can to reopen safely without losing sight of the progress we’ve made,” Cohen said.By Friday, city health officials had...WW…