The Akron Police Department arrested six people Monday night as a result of protests throughout the city.
According to police, a caravan of protestors was blocking traffic and “committing a wide range of traffic violations.” The caravan grew to over 60 vehicles, making it difficult for traffic to move at a normal flow.
“This created a risk to public safety and an undeniable concern for uninvolved citizens traveling in the area,” a press release said.
Police began making traffic stops throughout the city. During the traffic stops, police said “agitated subjects approached officers on foot while some yelled obscenities from a distance.”
Officers reported seeing a large caravan of vehicles in this area; some cars were blocking traffic while others created disturbances and other safety hazards. At some point, a group of protesters arrived downtown and traveled back and forth from Main Street, where some unknown person or person set off fireworks before heading toward High Street and S. Broadway.
The protests lasted until after midnight. Six people were arrested and a number of traffic citations were handed out.
During two traffic stops, at least two illegal handguns resulted in weapons charges.
A 23-year-old male was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief for tampering with city-owned equipment on S. Hight Street. Additional charges for the subject arrested include open containers, possession of marijuana, and obstructing official business.