TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Tallahassee Police Department said 15 people were arrested during an "unpermitted protest" in Tallahassee Saturday afternoon.
"As part of an unpermitted protest, a motorist was stopped for impeding the normal flow of traffic on South Monroe Street. During the traffic stop, the driver did not comply with law enforcement instructions," TPD wrote in a release issued Saturday evening.
As police were arresting the driver, police say several members of the crowd tried to interfere and did not comply with law enforcement's commands.
As officers tried to arrest the people who were interfering, they say other people in the crowd began blocking the officers, some hitting them.
"Due to their actions and, again, unwillingness to comply with officers’ commands, they were also arrested," TPD said.
ABC 27's cameras were rolling as the arrests began.
CONFRONTATION: Reporters at scene tell us, protester allegedly strikes officer, resulting in arrest. Demonstrators were at Capitol in response to grand jury decision in fatal officer-involved shootings, clearing officers of any wrongdoing. @abc27 pic.twitter.com/FEqsNjp9UD
— Lisa Reyes (@LReyTV) September 5, 2020
In total, 15 people were arrested. TPD says an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
No charges have been announced.
Multiple agencies, including the TPD, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Capitol Police and Florida State University Police Department, were on scene when the commotion began.
