Among those arrested was DeRay Mckesson, according to an Associated Press reporter who was at the scene. Mckesson is a leading figure in the Black Lives Matter movement that blossomed in the wake of the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri at the hands of police.
Booking documents provided by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office say Mckesson was arrested on charges of obstructing a highway.
Video posted on Periscope shows footage taken by McKesson in the moments leading up to his arrest. The video shows Mckesson walking alongside Airline Highway on his way back to the main area where the protests were going on when he was arrested.
On the video, Mckesson can be heard talking with fellow protesters and describing what he said was provocative police behavior against protesters.
“The police in Baton Rouge have been truly awful tonight,” Mckesson said on the video. “They have provoked people, they chase people just for kicks. The police have been violent tonight. The protesters have not.”
Moments later, someone shouts, “This is the police, you’re under arrest! Don’t fight me! Don’t fight me!”
McKesson responds: “I’m under arrest, y'all!” before the camera is knocked to the ground.
