76 protesters arrested in Louisville after police declare unlawful assembly

Seventy-six protestors in Louisville were arrested Friday night after police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Police squared off with a large gathering of protestors who cordoned off Market Street in Louisville’s Nulu neighborhood Friday afternoon, creating a block party.

A long table and tents are being set up on Market as Sam Cook’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” plays. Protesters have blocked off one block. pic.twitter.com/2mpuUcSyDl

— Hayes Gardner (@HayesGardner) July 24, 2020

Organizers blocked off the area with metal barricades while chanting “Whose streets? Our streets.” Demonstrators also set up a food area, games, artwork and shade tents.

Police started arresting protestors just before 5 p.m. Many of the police were in riot gear, the Post-Courier reported. At 5 p.m., police officially declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and continued to arrest remaining protestors for the next hour, according to the paper.

Here’s the scene on Market. Police continue to arrest dozens of protesters for unlawful assembly. pic.twitter.com/cNdq9kquzw

— Hayes Gardner (@HayesGardner) July 24, 2020

In total, 76 protestors were arrested, with charges including obstructing a highway and disorderly conduct, Louisville Metro Police Department spokesman Lamont Washington told the Post-Courier. Washington added that a handful of protestors were also charged with assault for throwing bottles at officers.

Demonstrators in Louisville have been protesting for nearly two months, demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, a Black 26-year-old EMT who was killed in her own home by Louisville police in March.

Protestors around the country have continued to push for Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and officers Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove — the officers involved in her killing — to be fired by the city police department and criminally charged for her death by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.