Occupy Baltimore Protesters Arrested Outside Proposed Juvenile Detention Center
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Occupy Baltimore protesters arrested. Police take action as demonstrators try to take over the site of a proposed youth jail facility.
Andrea Fujii has more on the arrests.
State police say they negotiated with the six protesters who went behind the fence, but when they refused to leave, they were taken to jail.
Around 5:30 p.m. Monday, Maryland State Police moved in and arrested six Occupy Baltimore protesters. From Sky Eye Chopper 13, you can see the Occupiers loaded into a police van. The group had entered the state-owned site of a proposed juvenile detention center. There, they built a mock schoolhouse.
"The area was clearly fenced and marked and posted for no trespassing. It's a construction site and it's not something that we want people staying in," said Greg Shipley, Maryland State Police.
Baltimore City Police then ordered the protesters to take down a tent they'd set up next to the site. When they refused, officers moved in.
Around 7 p.m., the media were pushed about a block away from the site.
"It's actually really insulting because we're peaceful," said protester Marcus Clary.
The group remained peaceful as officers dismantled the tent. City police didn't make any more arrests but Clary says the show of force was too much.
"This is completely unnecessary. They have sticks; they have guns. We have nothing but our soul and our heart and our words," Clary said.
Protesters say Monday's arrests send a message. Even if Occupy Baltimore isn't in McKeldin Square any more, the group says they are still active.
The Occupiers had planned to stay at this site for five days. They say they are now regrouping to figure out what their next move will be.
The four men and two women arrested are all charged with trespassing.
