EVANSTON (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A protest in suburban Evanston turned violent Saturday night when officers pepper-sprayed people who allegedly threw bricks and lit fireworks, injuring one officer.
About 150 protesters, including Northwestern University students, gathered on the university's campus and marched into downtown Evanston, where the peaceful protest became unruly, Evanston police said in a statement.
At that point, “some protesters threw bricks at police officers, shined high-powered lasers into their eyes, and threw lit fireworks and smoke bombs at the officers,” a spokesperson for Northwestern University said in an email.
“When it was clear the event had transitioned from a peaceful protest to that of intentional destruction, officers deployed pepper spray to prevent injury to bystanders and police officers,” the department said Sunday in a statement.
One officer was injured in their eye from a firework, and was taken to a hospital, police said.
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A female Northwestern student was arrested for allegedly hitting an officer, police said. She was released from police custody early Sunday morning, the school spokesman said.
The department said no tear gas was used, contrary to false reports on social media. “Smoke seen in any photos is from fireworks used by the protesters, not tear gas,” the department said.
“As we have stated before, Northwestern strongly supports the free expression of ideas and vigorous debate, abiding principles that are fundamental to our University,” the school’s statement said. “Northwestern protects the right to protest, but we do not condone breaking the law. Should members of the Northwestern community be found in violation of University policies, state or federal laws, they will be held accountable through our processes.”
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