Protesters who tried to march across the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Sunday with the Black Women’s March were met with resistance and forced to turn around.

“We're going to continue fighting,” said protester Cali Jane. “We are trying to say black women's lives are not valued here. We see this."

Organizers say the goal of the march was to raise awareness for the challenges African-American women face, particularly with racism.

State officials say they were concerned about the marchers walking across the bridge due to high rates of fast moving cars and traffic. They say they were unsuccessful in negotiating alternatives with organizers of the march.

State police emphasized that those who crossed the bridge would be met with resistance and at risk of arrest.

"Sounds like a justification, rationale, logic and that's fine but [the police] could have made it safe,” said protester Ali Muhammad.