Police Clamp Down on Protestors: Over 160 Arrested in Baton Rouge

Earlier on Sunday, some 2,000 people rallied to protest police killings of black people.

A “Black Lives Matter” poster. (Photo: AP)

Officers stared down hundreds protesting police brutality against black people near a ramp leading to an interstate in Louisiana’s capital on Sunday night, before another squad in riot gear arrived and authorities took dozens into custody.

Earlier on Sunday, some 2,000 people rallied outside the Capitol building to protest police killings, State Police Major Doug Cain said.

One Police Officer Injured, 160 Protesters Arrested

Police block streets in downtown Dallas. Image used for representational purposes. (Photo: AP)

They didn’t have any problems out there. They seemed to be very organised and peaceful.

Doug Cain

But by nightfall, a few hundred people aimed for an on-ramp of Interstate 110, trying a tactic protesters were using over the weekend in multiple cities. After a lengthy standoff, more police in full riot gear moved in, pinning some of the protesters as others fled. Some 30 to 40 people were taken into custody for trying to block a highway, sheriff’s spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks said.

That could push Baton Rouge’s weekend arrest total above 160, with one reported injury to a police officer.

Governor of Louisiana is Proud of Law Enforcement’s Response

Governor John Bel Edwards said he was “very proud” of the Louisiana law enforcement response to the protests that have followed the fatal shooting of a black man by a white police officer in the city. Flanked by law enforcement leaders, Edwards said he doesn’t believe officers have been overly aggressive by using riot gear to push protesters off a highway.

The police tactics in response have been very moderate. I’m very proud of that.

John Bel Edwards, Governor of Louisiana

Black Lives Matter Activists Unhappy With Police Response

Members of the group Black Lives Matter march to city hall during a protest. Image used for representational purposes. (Photo: Reuters)

Activists said they were dismayed by the police response.

I remain disappointed in the Baton Rouge police, who continue to provoke protesters for peacefully protesting. There’s a lot of work to be done, with this police department specifically.

DeRay Mckesson, a prominent Black Lives Matter activist.

The Baton Rouge police spokesperson, Sergeant Don Coppola, blamed some violence and the large number of arrests on outside agitators. One officer lost teeth to a projectile thrown outside police headquarters, and police also confiscated three rifles, three shotguns and two pistols during that protest, he wrote in an email.

But most of those detained live in Louisiana and faced a single charge of obstructing a highway.

I can assure everyone we are hearing the protesters. We are listening to their voices. But I’m especially gratified that our citizens here in Louisiana, to a very large degree, have decided to protest in a constructive and peaceful manner.

Governor Edwards

The list of those arrested released by the sheriff’s office included two homeless people, with 18 from out of state. The vast majority of the Louisiana residents were from the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas.