A group of protesters against excessive police force briefly marched up to the elevated Westbank Expressway this afternoon, before encountering Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies and vehicles.
JPSO telling protestors they will be arrested if they don’t get off the bridge. Deputies calling for back up. @WWLTV pic.twitter.com/XksQJUetJK
— Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL)
June 16, 2020 A JPSO spokesman over the loud speaker saying “we are here to protect your first amendment rights...don’t give them up by coming up on the elevated expressway. @WWLTV pic.twitter.com/8mRcMUspVb
— Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL)
June 16, 2020 According to The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate, a woman says she was struck by a law enforcement officer, and the sheriff's office says one of its deputies was hit in the face by a demonstrator.
The protesters are demanding the sheriff's office equip deputies with body cameras in the wake of a deputy fatally shooting Modesto Reyes last month. The sheriff's office says Reyes fled police and aimed a firearm at a pursuing deputy when he was killed.
Protesters went back down to ground level and assembled in front of JPSO headquarters, according to WWL-TV's Paul Murphy.
Protestors now back in front of JPSO Headquarters. They are demanding to speak with JP Sheriff Joe Lopinto. @WWLTV pic.twitter.com/DMMD1Ho6hn
— Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL)
June 16, 2020 Sheriff Joe Lopinto said the protest was mostly peaceful, but five people were arrested. One deputy was treated and released at a local hospital for facial injuries.
