Black Lives Matter protests turn violent as demonstrators take to the streets of Rochester. Demonstrators overturned police barricades to get to the station.
On Monday, Black Lives Matter protests demonstrated in the streets of Rochester in response to a young girl that was pepper-sprayed by police last week. An officer used handcuffs and “an irritant” on the young child who reportedly threatened to harm herself, RochesterFirst.com reported.
The police received a phone call, from her custodial parent, saying the young girl intended to harm herself and others. The responding officers handcuffed the young girl when she refused to cooperate.
One of the officers sprayed her with the “irritant,” when she would not put her feet inside the police car, the local news outlet stated.
Officials say the girl became “agitated when she saw her custodial parent,”. “This caused the minor to pull away and kick at officers, which required an officer to take the minor down to the ground.”
On Monday, demonstrators started marching in the streets in response.
Protest continues down North Clinton. “Protect Our Children,” demonstrators chant. @News_8 pic.twitter.com/OnYnCcCWYj
— Jack Watson (@JackWatsonTV) February 1, 2021
The demonstration continued moving toward a police station.
A protest on North Clinton Ave in Rochester has grown to several dozen. Several groups protesting against police conduct in spraying of 9-year-old girl Friday. @News_8 pic.twitter.com/TjTwJpOUss
— Jack Watson (@JackWatsonTV) February 1, 2021
“The mother was there,” a protester told the Rochester news station. “In this incident, there was no reason for the police officer to be so rough with this child. We’re here because we want change. We want our police officers to stop abusing our babies.”
As night fell, the protesters gathered at the police station, independent journalist Geoffery Rogers tweeted.
There’s an active protest on North Clinton Avenue at the police station in Rochester New York this is after a nine-year-old girl was pepper sprayed by police a few days ago. More updates coming shortly. #ROC @GSLSHOW pic.twitter.com/0mxPml3hk6
— Geoffery Rogers (@GeofferyRogers) February 1, 2021
Demonstrators started to become more aggressive and started overturning police barricades in an attempt to reach the station.
Protesters have started taking the fence down and moving closer to the police station. #ROC pic.twitter.com/FCOUU3ksjO
— Geoffery Rogers (@GeofferyRogers) February 1, 2021
After demonstrators broke through the barricade, they gathered along the parking lot fence and began yelling at police, videographer Brendan Gutenschwager tweeted.
Protesters successfully overturn the barricades set up outside this Rochester Police station and make their way up to the inner parking lot fence #Rochester #NewYork #RochesterPD #RochesterProtests pic.twitter.com/LwOj1yh820
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) February 1, 2021
“You just maced a little kid,” the protesters cried out.
“You just maced a little kid!” chants outside the Rochester Police station on this Monday night #Rochester #NewYork #RochesterPD #RochesterProtests pic.twitter.com/FYcpnBMn4g
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) February 1, 2021
The crowd eventually left the police station, as they began a car caravan.
A caravan supporting the marchers follows as the crowd marches away from the police station tonight #Rochester #NewYork #RochesterPD #RochesterProtests pic.twitter.com/qdoXZfrI8l
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) February 1, 2021