Black Lives Matter organizers and activists are calling for a change in leadership within the NYPD. 

This is in response to the NYPD’s arrest of Nikki Stone earlier this week when she was shoved into an unmarked police van during a protest. 

Faith leaders, elected officials and activists stood in solidarity against police brutality Thursday and called for NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea to resign. 

"We can’t see them in any which way or form changing so the reform has to start at the top. The commissioner got to go,” said Councilmember Carina Rivera, "Where is the de-escalation tactics, where is how to peacefully manage a protest?"

Organizers say they felt Stone’s arrest was a form of intimidation and a tactic to suppress the ongoing protests against police brutality. 

Many leaders also say they are upset with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s response to the recent incident. The mayor said it was “not the right time and place” to make the arrest. 

They’re also calling for the mayor to step up.