The NOPD is promising to release more video of the confrontation last week between cops and demonstrators... that ended with officers firing tear gas and rubber bullets on the Crescent City Connection.
The chief today talked about some of what that video will show, including people allegedly stealing police equipment and using it on the cops.
"During this clash some of our shields... body warn cameras, helmets as well and batons... we had a quite a few things that was taken," Shaun Ferguson said. "You will be able to see it more on the footage."
He also said the crowd then used the gear against officers.
While he did not release the video yet, the chief says it supports what police have said all along, that some of the demonstrators attacked officers.
"That gives credibility to that there was a physical encounter that was initiated by some of our protesters."
He reiterated that most of the crowd was not confrontational.
"Many of our protesters were peaceful, but you had the agitators in the front."
Ferguson said people will get a more complete picture from the video.
"As we release more video, we are going to educate you more as to what actually transpired."
The chief was asked about why it was so important to keep the protest march from crossing the Mississippi River.
He said they were hearing chatter in the crowd about wanting to go to Jefferson Parish, and they did not know what everyone's intent was when they got there.
"I think that is immoral, unethical for us to escort a protest to another jurisdiction."
Ferguson also stressed that the tear gas they used is rolled, not fired or thrown into the crowd and is the lowest level used. He added that the "rubber balls" fired are far less impactful than rubber bullets or even paint balls.
