DeRay McKesson, one of the most prominent activists associated with the police reform protest movement, was arrested Saturday night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he traveled earlier in the day to demonstrate in solidarity with residents angered by the recent death of Alton Sterling after an officer-involved shooting that was captured on video.
Advertisement
A police spokesman said two firearms were confiscated and several arrests made. It was not immediately clear what prompted Mckesson’s arrest.
The arrest occurred about 11:15 p.m.as Mr. McKesson and other protesters were marching in Baton Rouge on Airline Highway, where they were warned by the police not to stray onto the road.
“Watch the police”, he said in the video.
Sterling’s death came two days before another black man, Philando Castile, was fatally shot during a traffic stop outside St. Paul, Minnesota.
“As of 5:15 this morning he was physically O.K. We are still awaiting his release”, fellow activist Brittany Packnett told the New York Times.
Before his arrest, McKesson was continually updating his Twitter followers on the protest.
Mckesson is one of the most recognizable faces to emerge from the Black Lives Matter movement. At one point during the live-stream, he says, “The police of Baton Rouge have been truly very bad today”.
Witnesses said the activist was arrested as he filmed the protests, but as of press time, it was not known why he was detained. “We aren’t blocking the street or anything”.
The protests lasted well into the evening but died down a little after midnight.
Police rush the crowd of protesters and start making arrest on July 9, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“The police continue to just provoke people”, McKesson said after an officer yells to a group of people that if they step on the roadway they will be arrested.
A confrontation apparently eruped between riot police and Black Panther activists during the protest – several of the activists were carrying shotguns, which is permitted under Louisana’s open carry laws, according to Reuters. The officer said if he was seen in the street again, he would end up in jail.
More demonstrations were expected Saturday afternoon.
Advertisement
There were also protests in other major cities, including Atlanta, Miami, New York, Nashville and Washington, D.C., among others.
