Reporters, activist released from jail following arrests during Baton Rouge protest

BATON ROUGE, La. — Protests continued in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Saturday -- the city where Alton Sterling was killed in a police shooting Tuesday.

WAFB reported that protests had been happening in the city for five days, and as they have continued, tensions between law enforcement and protesters have increased.

Saturday protests occurred along Airline Highway. Police officers wore riot gear, and WAFB reported that Black Panthers joined the demonstrators.

Noted activist DeRay Mckesson was arrested while live streaming some of the protest, according to BuzzFeed News.

The arrest was confirmed to The Advocate by BPRD spokesman Cpl. L'Jean McKneely.

"The defendant did intentionally (place himself) in the road, thus rendering movement there more difficult," the affadavit of probable cause stated. "Baton Rouge Police Officers were assigned to provide security for a planned, peaceful protest... The protesters were assembled in the parking lot... Via police loudspeaker, protesters were advised to remain on private property and on the curb. They were also notified to stay out of the roadway and to not impede the flow of traffic. These announcements were made frequently via loud speaker and via individual police on the scene. During the protest, the defendant entered the roadway and was provided another verbal order to exit the lanes of travel. Moments later, the defendant entered the roadway again and was taken into custody by officers on scene without incident."

According to his live Periscope video, Mckesson was arrested when a police officer approached him from behind and said he was under arrest after he and other protesters were walking on the side of the street.

An officer can be heard moments before, telling the group to stay out of the street. In the video, Mckesson pointed out that, although there was no sidewalk, he and his group were walking on the shoulder, which appeared to be demarcated by a solid white line.

Mckesson is an outspoken leader who regularly advocates and protests against police brutality.

"Police in Baton Rouge have been awful tonight," Mckesson said on his Periscope broadcast. "They've provoked people. They've chased people just for kicks. We're literally people have been on the sidewalk. They haven't been shutting down traffic.The police have been violent tonight. The protesters have not."

Local reporters have also been arrested and are likely among the 100 arrests police made, according to official estimates. Police said they confiscated at least seven guns and two officers were injured during the protests.

The extent of the officers' injuries was not known.

New Orleans Public Radio said one of their reporters was arrested.

WAFB confirmed one of its reporters had also been arrested.

Cox Media Group