Chicago cops clash with protesters trying to tear down Columbus statue: At least four officers are injured and rioters are arrested as demonstrators shoot fireworks in violent standoff

Chicago cops unleashed tear gas and charged at protesters Friday night after they attempted to tear down a statue of Christopher Columbus and threw fireworks at officers. 

At least four protesters were injured after chaos erupted in Grant Park as hundreds of demonstrators gathered around the Columbus statue and vandalized it with graffiti. 

The protesters aimed fireworks at police guarding the statue to push them back before they tied the monument up with ropes and tried to drag it down. 

CBS reported that at least a dozen people were arrested. One also sustained injuries.

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Protesters hurled fireworks  at police in Chicago on Friday night 

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The protest attempted to pull down a Christopher Columbus statue

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Shocking video showed fireworks exploding beside officers who were forced to retreat

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At least four protesters were injured in the chaos in Grant Park on Friday night

Chicago protestors launch fireworks at Christopher Columbus statue

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According to WGN9, officers attempted to guard the statue but were hit with fireworks, bottles, full soda cans and other items and forced to back away.  

They returned with pepper spray and clashed with protesters as authorities regained control over the area and pushed the demonstration away from the monument.  

Protesters on bikes blocked of an intersection close by from around 9.30pm as they faced off with police and drove motorists away. 

The large group was seen lining up along the four sides of the intersection in a circle as cars and emergency services looked on. 

Protesters in the center were seen waving a large black flag as more demonstrators joined.   

The main demonstration began earlier in the evening with rally planned for Black and Indigenous people in Buckingham Fountain, according to ABC 7 Chicago. 

The group was calling for the defunding of the Chicago Police Department, saying the money should be invested in neighborhoods. 

Hundreds gathered to hear speeches at about 5pm before peacefully marching toward Grant Park. 

'There is a long list of names that will never be a hashtag... we cannot be out here every single time they kill one of us... that’s why we need to have community control of the motherf*****g cops ,' one speech said, according to reporter Grace Del Vecchio. 

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The officers pulled bikes from protesters and they forced them away

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 Protesters linked arms at they tried to stand down police but were eventually forced to move as more tear gas was used as police herded them away from the statue

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A great number of cops returned to secure the area around the state using tear gas

Some taunted the cops present by shouting, 'You're about to lose your jobs.'

Many traveled with bikes as they chanted 'Black Lives Matter' and held signs reading 'Defund the Police'. 

Cops lined the path being taken by protesters but the demonstration remained peaceful until it reached the Columbus statue and a wave of fireworks was unleashed on officers surrounding the monument. 

Several police injuries were reported as footage of the incident shows fireworks exploding just beside officers, as one falls to the ground. 

A heavy barrage of other items continued to be thrown at officers until they backed away. 

As cops fled, protesters surrounded the statue pulling off the covering over it to vandalize it and begin attempts to pull it down. 

'Bring it down,' was chanted as two groups tried to dismantle the statue. 

Some shouted at those filming the attempt and the earlier vandalization to stop. 

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Protesters on bikes blocked off an intersection later in the evening

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The demonstrators gathered in a circle forcing cars on four sides to turn around

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The group marched along Columbus Ave after being forced away from the statue

Chicago police quickly returned in greater numbers, however, and used batons and tear gas to beat back the protesters. 

Protesters linked arms at they tried to stand down police but were eventually forced to move as more tear gas was used.  

Angry clashes were seen as the protesters were herded out of the area and cops removed the ropes from the statue.

Video footage showed bikes being pulled from protesters by police officers as they were charged in riot gear and more fireworks exploded close by. 

'Who do you serve, who do you protect?' protesters shouted as they backed away. 

A large number remained watching outside the periphery, still choking on tear gas, as the Chicago police took control of the area.

A group then turned to Columbus Avenue where they continued a stand off with officers and  planned to march back to Buckingham Fountain.  

According to ABC7, four people were injured during the chaos and transported to a local hospital. They are said to be in a good condition. 

NBC Chicago reported that at least four police officers were also injured. 

Statues of Christopher Columbus have been torn town and targeted across the United States in recent weeks amid ongoing protests against racial injustice. 

Columbus is seen as a figure of white supremacy and protesters are calling for his likeness to be removed from monuments.