CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - A group of civil rights organizations in Charleston have rebuked how police handled a protest that ended in at least six arrests.
Organizers with Black Lives Matter-Charleston and other groups met Sunday at a park in Charleston to speak out, saying police haven’t shared the whole story, The Post and Courier reported. They said police seemed to deliberately provoke a confrontation on Saturday.
“We believe that the over-aggressive police tactics started with forcing 75 people to walk on a 6-foot sidewalk, and to do so without stepping off the curb,” the groups’ statement said. “It is our belief that the actions of law enforcement contributed greatly to the unrest that resulted in the arrest, and at times violent arrest, of several demonstrators.”
Police said Saturday’s protest was not permitted, and protesters had refused to walk on the sidewalk after they left the area. Some were arrested after they “refused officer’s directions, impeded vehicle traffic by marching in the roadway, and assaulted an officer,” according to a police statement. The officer was not seriously injured.
At least six people were arrested, and most were charged with disobeying a lawful order, news outlets reported.
The civil rights groups also accused Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon, who was at the protests, of “trying to influence the ‘law and order’ Trump 2020 base by getting tough on those who support the movement for Black lives.”
Cannon told the newspaper he was there to make sure things didn’t escalate. “I will continue to do my job, regardless of which organization or movement may be involved,” he said.
After the statement was read, about 30 people marched, chanting “Black lives are beloved,” and calling for an end to gun violence.
The protest in Charleston follows similar demonstrations held in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where an officer shot Jacob Blake in the back on Aug. 23.
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