Mass arrests were made in Milwaukee Friday night as protesters blocked rush hour traffic.
Hundreds of protesters caused a massive traffic jam blocking the southbound lanes of I-43, while calling for charges against Milwaukee police officer Christopher Manney.
Manney shot and killed 31-year-old Dontre Hamilton 14 times in April, after a struggle in a downtown park, spurring weeks of protests, according to the Journal Sentinel. He was later fired for not following proper procedure.
The Milwaukee County sheriff’s office said late Friday that 73 adults and one juvenile were arrested as a result of the blocked streets.
Traffic was briefly closed in both directions after protesters marched onto the interstate, as Wisconsin Jobs Now shared on Twitter. The disruption resulted in long traffic delays around the downtown area. Traffic was reopened in both directions in less than ten minutes.
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/D7FvRWGXmq
— Wisconsin Jobs Now (@WiscJobsNow) December 19, 2014
Protesters block road to I-43. Cars honking. pic.twitter.com/oHLkKW7JrY — Ashley Sears (@AshleySears6) December 19, 2014
Oh, yeah, I had just gotten into I-43 today when the protesters stopped everything on both sides. pic.twitter.com/0cIcVn61iM — Sarah Joanne (@sarahjoannee) December 20, 2014
On I-43. #ICantSleep #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/xKzvwrUxwM — #ShutItDown (@superbranch) December 19, 2014
#Breaking: Group of protesters walking on I-43. #WISN12 pic.twitter.com/xIsM7F4Gkz
— WISN 12 News (@WISN12News) December 19, 2014
This minor inconvenience is brought to you by a major injustice. #dontrehamilton #ShutItDown #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/fbCzoV5JlH — OverpassLightBrigade (@OLBLightBrigade) December 20, 2014
Sheriff David Clarke issued a warning about the protests Friday afternoon, declaring that “anarchist groups” were gathering to plan “disruptive activities.” You can read Sheriff Clarke’s full statement here. Milwaukee Police expressed frustration with Friday’s protest on Twitter, arguing that ongoing efforts to reach out to the Hamilton family regarding demonstrations were ignored.
Despite misinformed statements reported by some media, no notice needs to be provided prior to arrest. — Milwaukee Police (@MilwaukeePolice) December 20, 2014
After the scene cleared at I-43, about 100 people picketed outside the Milwaukee Police Administration Building.
Jonathan Safran, an attorney for the Hamilton family, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel they don’t approve of protesters blocking freeway traffic.
Hamilton’s mother and brother, Maria and Nathaniel Hamilton, were with a group protesting outside the Milwaukee police administration building Friday night.
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