Where is this guy when you need him?
Posted on 07/19/2016 6:38:11 AM PDT by mbarker12474
13 Black Lives Matter protesters arrested after blocking I-95S traffic Monday, July 18
By Shawn Maclauchlan, Senior Digital Content Producer and Chris Thomas, Anchor and Stephanie Robusto, Reporter
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -
I-95S is back open after Black Lives Matter protesters blocked off traffic near Belvidere on Monday.
At least a dozen protesters blocked off all southbound lanes around 5:45 p.m. and draped a sign on the overpass.
Several State Police cruisers, as well as Richmond Police and a helicopter, arrived on scene. Lanes reopened around 6:20 p.m.
"It's good for us," said Black Lives Matter supporter Melinda Watkins. "These white folks think they can rule the world. Especially VCU [Police]. They think they own the whole world, but they don't. God owns this world."
However, most of the protesters that stopped traffic on Monday were white. Organizers say it was planned this way. The protest was meant to show white people "putting their lives on the line for black people."
"Anytime you can't walk the street unless you have a cop running up on you then you are not safe," said Watkins. "I don't feel safe. Not with them."
"Yes. It is unfair that people are being stranded from going home, but it's also unfair that African American men are being killed on a daily basis by police officers," said Jameila Grant. "It's unacceptable."
Grant was leaving work and decided to join the protesters.
"I think it should have been done in the morning," said Grant. "Stop people from opening businesses and making money, because when money is being tapped into and it hurts the city, then a difference is going to be made. So absolutely. This is correct."
Police arrested 13 of the protesters at the scene. According to Deputy Steve Drew with the Richmond Police Department, "It does not appear that the majority of those individuals are from the Richmond metro area."
State Police say they charged the protesters that refused to get off the Interstate with being pedestrians on a highway and for impeding the flow of traffic.
"Its all about community policing, free speech, and their rights," said Drew. "They know the rules, but we cant have public safety jeopardized."
Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones also arrived at the scene. He was concerned about public safety being jeopardized if any emergency vehicles were trying to pass through stopped traffic.
"We respect the right of individuals to protest, however, we draw the line when the activities of life become handicapped. When you block an intersection, you don’t know if people are going to the hospital, or emergency vehicles need to get from place to place. So when that happens, it becomes a problem," said Mayor Jones.
That respect between officers and their community is one reason the Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones believes the river city is keeping calm in such a turbulent time.
"Richmond is a unique place. We've responded very well. We have good relationships with our police force and our police force has a good relationship with our community," said Mayor Jones.
But he believes there are better ways for your voice to be heard.
"I would participate in several different discussions, trying to process a very difficult time. Not just in Richmond, but the United States of America and the world," said Mayor Jones.
Traffic was backed up several miles throughout the city of Richmond.
Where is this guy when you need him?
Went to the link and was disappointed that the word protestors is not in quotes one the actual headline.
not just emergency vehicles. every right of way should be left clear.
Perhaps the blacks are only committed when they are paid to be committed. I feel very bad even saying black as apposed to white because, all lives matter and I never think of the diffedences in peoples by color or ethnicity.
Well, you know GMTA.....that was one of my thoughts also after seeing the pictures.
There used to be signs that denoted “no pedestrians” on them. I don’t recall if they are still prevalent.
Blocking a street is not peaceful and it is not protected.
Governor McAwful must hate black people to allow their protestors to get arrested.
It seems to me that most of the time when pedestrians are hit on the freeway the motorists are rarely charged. Maybe if enough of them got run over this crap would stop........
“Actually there should be a federal law against intentionally blocking federal highways. It should be a health and safety issue. You are blocking the passage of emergency equipment and possible first responders. Stated should pass similar laws.”
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The emergency vehicles angle is a red herring, IMO.
Protestors’ rights end where others’ begin. They have no right to detain other citizens on a public road.
“Jameila Grant is a liar.”
Indeed she is! However, her ignorance and stupidity aside, she is being spoon fed these lies from Obama and his ministry of propaganda. It’s actually amazing that anyone who regularly hears these lies, day in and day out, is able to discern the truth anymore with the constant propaganda being spewed from the media. Can you imagine the backlash she would receive from her family, friends, and community if she were to all the sudden wake up and say “hey guys, I think we’re being lied to”? It’s no excuse, but they’d shun her. Obama, the Uniparty, and their propaganda whores have been extremely successful in controlling the dialogue and perpetuating lies.
there is.
These folks need arrested an charged with Federal Crimes.. you cannot interfere with an interstate, there have to be federal crimes that apply here, but of course it won’t happen while Barry and his blacks can do no wrong administration continue
‘Bout time for the multi-target taser.
Guess he didn't get the text that Obama and Moo have ruled for the last 8 years.
Highway blocking protesters are making themselves a target for truck driving terrorists.
It’s about time.
If the radicals break the law they should be arrested. Blocking highways is against the law.
I suspect the above comment is a lie.
Our side - law biding citizens - do NOT get out and beat the crap out of anyone.
WE believe in the law. The cops handled this beautifully - they arrested the lawbreakers.
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