Activist DeRay Mckesson Arrested During Protest [VIDEO]

Deray McKesson, Photo: Instagram

DeRay Mckesson, who is a well-known Black Lives Matter activist, was arrested last night in Baton Rouge. He was protesting against the shooting death of Alton Sterling and livestreamed the protest and his arrest on Periscope. As he was arrested, other protesters took his phone to continue the stream and demanded to know why he was being arrested.

Police defended the arrests that took place as being done in the name of public safety. “Well, they’re clearly blocking the roadway,” a police official told The Advocate’s Maya Lau. “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.”

According to Mckesson’s tweets and comments on Livestream, protesters weren’t blocking the roadway.

The protestors have been peaceful, the police have not. This is America. #BatonRouge

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

The police 100% provoked protestors tonight and continue to do so. #BatonRouge

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

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

— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016

It’s not clear what charges Mckesson will face. Here’s an update from one of his friends. 

No further details have yet been released. Update #2. Deray has since been released. Click here for the latest.

Follow us: @theJasmineBRAND on Twitter | theJasmineBRAND on Facebook| theJasmineBRAND_ on Instagram