USA: Dozens arrested in Rikers Island protest

Dozens of people were arrested in a protest in Queens, New York, on Friday, in which demonstrators called for Rikers Island prison to be shut down. The demonstration was part of "Rise Up October," a three-day demonstration against police brutality and officer-involved killings. Protesters shouted "shut it down!" and staged a sit-down protest before police officers came and dragged protesters away, one of which was an elderly man. The Rikers Island prison has become notorious for abuse and the mistreatment of inmates. On Thursday two Rikers Island guards were charged with recruiting inmates to attack another prisoner in January 2014. The prison has a total of 9,000 police officers working within its gates and some 14,000 inmates.