Black Lives Matter Activist DeRay McKesson Was Arrested During Protest

He was one of 100 protesters taken into custody at the rally.
From: NewNowNext

On the night of July 9th DeRay McKesson, a well known Black Lives Matter activist, was arrested in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during a peaceful protest over the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and other minorities at the hands of police.

@iamderay was unlawfully arrested last night with over 100 other protestors in #BatonRouge… https://t.co/v89Nqw2aGH pic.twitter.com/SfLAKC98EL

— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) July 10, 2016

The out activist—who was one of 100 demonstrators taken into custody—livestreamed his arrest on Periscope.

Vice reports:

He was filming as protesters marched up Airline Highway at about 11.15 pm. The video shows lines of flickering police lights in the distance. McKesson realizes that police are arresting protesters and stops to record video of the interactions.

Then one officer points at McKesson and approaches him.

“Watch the police, they are just literally provoking people,” McKesson said during his Periscope video.

If anything happens tonight, it was caused by the police. Everybody has been peaceful tonight but them. #BatonRouge

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

Officers warned McKesson about walking over the line in the road, and then arrested him—though it did not appear he crossed the line.

Remember, airline highway was not blocked by protestors. But the police have been aggressors anyway. #BatonRouge

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

After McKesson was taken into custody, his phone was passed onto other protestors, who kept filming.

“In a booking record, the Baton Rouge authorities said Mr. McKesson ignored a police officer’s order to stay out of the road. He was charged with simple obstruction of a highway of commerce,” reported the New York Times.

.@deray officially charged with "simple obstruction of a highway of commerce." See affidavit of probable cause. pic.twitter.com/0zScUQ9cs2

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) July 10, 2016

McKesson was active on social media during the protest. Watch some of the videos he posted throughout the night below:

And now the SWAT vehicle goes down the street. #BatonRouge https://t.co/Sk1lHaN98K

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

And the arrest bus is moving back for some reason. #BatonRogue https://t.co/0AJMKk4uGE

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

And now the police are pacing the protestors, provoking us for no reason. #BatonRouge https://t.co/bCGmh46x7T

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

And now more armored vehicles pass by. #BatonRouge https://t.co/EXjFVZTGqG

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

We are walking on the sidewalk. Their presence with their weapons displayed is provocation, FYI. https://t.co/LlS45xl9aE

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

And now the state police arrive. #BatonRouge https://t.co/j48Ma4xF03

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

Current scene, heading back. #BatonRouge https://t.co/FkHuAnxLFS

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

Again, the police provoke protestors for no reason. #BatonRouge https://t.co/wCLQZKeRUI

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

Maya Liu, a criminal justice reporter for The Baton Rouge Advocate was on the scene, and interviewed a Louisiana State Police Officer about the accusations that the police were aggressive, not the protestors:

Here's @LAStatePolice Maj. Cain answering Qs about why cops apparently rushing crowd unprovoked #altonSterling pic.twitter.com/9n4Ix89Zj8

— Maya Lau (@mayalau) July 10, 2016

“Well, they’re clearly blocking the roadway,” the police officer told Liu. “We welcome the protests. We want them to voice their opinions. That’s what we’re here to do, to make sure they’re safe and they’re able to do that.”

As news spread of McKesson’s arrest, the #FreeDeRay hashtag began trending on Twitter, with many people urging the Baton Rouge Police Department to free McKesson. As of now there is no word on when he will be released from custody.

McKesson had traveled to Louisiana that morning to join the protesters.

Black Lives Matter Leader DeRay McKesson Released After Spending Birthday In Jail

“We wouldn’t arrest people who are quietly protesting off the roadway," said a rep for the Baton Rouge police.

From: NewNowNext

Black Lives Matter activist DeRay McKesson was released from jail in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, July 10th after being arrested at a protest over the death of Alton Sterling July 9th.

McKesson was reportedly charged with “simple obstruction of highway commerce,” though the terms of his release or the amount of his bail is not known.

“I think of protest as truth-telling in public. And I will never be afraid to tell the truth,” he tweeted later in the day.

In the Parrish prison cells, we continued to talk about the work of social justice & to build community. We all continue to grow.

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

The out #BLM leader was taken into custody July 9th while marching along Airline Highway. Authorities told demonstrators to stay off the road, but there was apparently no sidewalk.

Livestreaming the event on Periscope, McKesson—who actually turned 31 on that day—filmed part of his arrest before passing his phone to fellow activist Brittany Packnett.

“He was standing on the side of the road. He was not disobeying police officers whatsoever. He was snatched and grabbed,” said Packnett. “Start calling the Baton Rouge Police Department to demand that he’s released.”

Police claimed the marchers were “clearly blocking the roadway.”

“We welcome the protests. We want them to voice their opinions. That’s what we’re here to do—to make sure they’re safe and they’re able to do that,” a Louisiana state police official told the Louisiana Advocate. “We wouldn’t arrest people who are quietly protesting off the roadway.”

More than 100 other protesters were arrested along with McKesson. A crowdfunding campaign to cover their bail and other legal expenses has reached more than $100,000 in less than one day.