( Breitbart )
What began as an afternoon anti-police protest in Rochester, New York, turned violent Monday evening. Chanting protesters began overturning police barricades to get to the station.
Black Lives Matter protesters took to the streets of Rochester Monday afternoon to protest in response to a nine-year-old girl who was pepper-sprayed by police late last week. An officer used handcuffs and “an irritant” on the minor who reportedly threatened to harm herself, RochesterFirst.com reported.
A custodial parent called the police and reported she intended to cause self-harm to herself and others. She then fled from the residence. The responding officers chased the girl down and handcuffed her when she refused to cooperate.
When she would not put her feet in the police car, one of the officers sprayed her with the “irritant,” the local news outlet stated.
The girl became “agitated when she saw her custodial parent,” officials said. “This caused the minor to pull away and kick at officers, which required an officer to take the minor down to the ground.”
Monday afternoon, protesters began 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 protest 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,” one 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 darkness fell on the city, the protesters assembled 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
The protesters became more aggressive and began moving and overturning police barricades in an attempt to approach 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 breaking through the barricade, the protesters assembled along the parking lot fence and began shouting 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 shouted.
“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 and supporters in vehicles joined the marchers.
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