The groups accuse law enforcement officials of physically and verbally abusing demonstrators, threatening protesters with pepper spray and using “objectively excessive force” during arrests.
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The 15-year-old, who a week ago had sobbed as his mother, Quinyetta McMillon, talked about Sterling’s death, stood composed as he called for peace, saying he wanted protesters angry about his father’s death to “protest in peace”.
“No more arguments, violence, crimes”, said Cameron.
“And it was like at that moment I knew: my daddy’s here – he’s right on the side of her, we’re standing here as a family together once again”.
The State Police superintendent said he personally witnessed protesters throwing projectiles at police and said officers “have used incredible restraint” while responding to the protests, despite criticism from protesters and some civil liberties groups.
Police in Baton Rouge say they have arrested three people who stole guns with the goal of killing police officers.
The temporary restraining order would prevent those parties from interfering with demonstrators’ constitutionally protected right to peacefully protest in the future. “A very peaceful protest and then some insane madman”. Sterling was shot and killed a few miles away by Baton Rouge police officers on Tuesday, July 5. She said that she saw “assault weapons pointed at [the protestors] with fingers on the triggers, some dragged across the cement, their clothes ripped off of them”.
Protesters say they were inspired to protest by cases around the country of police killing young black men. “A peaceful demonstration should never be like that”, expressed Crystal Williams, local resident and organizer with North Baton Rouge Matters.
Cameron Sterling urged protesters to remain peaceful.
A 13-year-old male suspect was apprehended Sunday and charged with simple burglary and theft of a firearm, police said.
People pray during Prayer Vigil organized by Myron Smothers at Memorial Tower on the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge, La., Monday, July 11, 2016.
The burglary occurred early Saturday morning, hours after officers lined the streets of Baton Rouge in riot gear.
The chief said one of the suspects said the burglary was carried out “to harm police officers”, but he didn’t give any details about when or where a possible plot would be carried out. “Yes, you can protest, but I want everyone to protest the right way”.
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The officers who pinned and shot Alton Sterling were put on paid leave, and the United States Department of Justice has begun investigating the shooting.
