Six people were arrested when a group of 30 to 50 protesters clashed with officers Wednesday night during an immigration march from Woodruff Park to Centennial Olympic Park, an Atlanta police spokesman said.
“As they marched, several wore masks, one kicked a patrol vehicle, several threw items at patrol vehicles and they refused to clear from the road after numerous orders to do so,” spokesman Jarius Daugherty said in a statement.
The march began about 9:30 p.m. The group was protesting against a U.S. immigration policy that has separated children from their parents.
MORE: Police clear protesters from outside Atlanta city jail
Daugherty said police made the arrests after they determined the protesters did not intend to comply with orders.
“Some of the arrestees actively attempted to block officers from making arrests,” he said.
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Protester Ellenina Iacobucci disputed the police department’s version of events. She said she was pushed to the ground while filming the exchange between protesters and police.
“I was a protester and can say with certainty that none of us threw things at the vehicles nor did we kick the vehicles,” she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
No injuries to officers or protesters were reported.
Police said they arrested Brandon Cosgrove, Rebecca Shenfeld, Travis Arnold, Frances Newton, Bethany Sumner and James Mitchell. They were taken to the Atlanta city jail.
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Newton was charged with being a pedestrian in the roadway and obstructing officers, Daugherty said. The others were charged with being a pedestrian in the roadway and and disorderly conduct.
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