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SDPD Makes Several Arrests During Friday Protest Against Police Shooting Of Wisconsin Man

A line of police officers in front of the San Diego Police Department headquarters in downtown San Diego on Aug. 29, 2020, before a planned protest against police brutality over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
San Diego Police Department
A line of police officers in front of the San Diego Police Department headquarters in downtown San Diego on Aug. 29, 2020, before a planned protest against police brutality over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

At least nine protesters were arrested Friday night, some accused of physically attacking officers, during demonstrations in downtown San Diego against police brutality and the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

San Diego Police Department officers appeared to pepper spray a small group of protesters with the group Peaceful Protest San Diego during the demonstration outside SDPD headquarters.

The group had encouraged supporters on Instagram to come out at 5 p.m. and "stand up and fight back" in "solidarity with Kenosha."

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In a video from the scene, some protesters disperse after police appear to pepper spray them. It also appears to show a protester raise his hands in front of officers shortly after the group was pepper-sprayed, then multiple officers chase and tackle him.

The demonstration moved from the headquarters toward downtown, and police claim a person "sprayed a chemical irritant spray at a line of officers."

RELATED: Police Union In Kenosha, Wis., Provides Account Of Jacob Blake Shooting

Four people were arrested, the department reported.

Two others were arrested later in the evening for allegedly pointing lasers at officers, the department said.

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About 9:30 p.m., the department said a member of the group allegedly "punched an officer (and) was being arrested when two other members of the group attempted to intervene."

One person was accused of kicking an officer and the other interfered with the arrest. All three were taken into custody, police said.

The department announced about 10:30 p.m. that protesters had left the area and "the event, for the most part, has concluded."

The protest prompted authorities to shut down Broadway and E Street between 14th and 15th streets, on the north and south sides of the headquarters, a police sergeant said.

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