Dozens Of Protesters Arrested During Black Lives Matter Rallies Across The U.S.

Protests took place in more than a dozen American cities Tuesday as racial tensions continue to mount in the wake of deadly police shootings.

Protesters rallied Tuesday against police violence in a number of cities across the U.S.

The heightened atmosphere comes in the wake of the death of Walter Scott, a black South Carolina man shot multiple times in the back by white police officer Michael Slager. Video of the incident shot by a witness forced North Charleston police to charge Slager with Scott's murder last week.

Over the weekend, Eric Harris was accidentally shot and killed in Oklahoma when a volunteer deputy confused his handgun for his Taser. On Monday, the reserve deputy, Robert Bates, was charged with second-degree manslaughter.

Racial tensions in the U.S. were heightened last year after grand jury decisions in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City not to file charges against white police officers who had killed unarmed black men.

Demonstrations took place Tuesday in more than a dozen cities across the U.S. from New York City to Cleveland to Birmingham to Oakland.

In New York, several hundred protesters rallying against police brutality clogged traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge:

This is the scene as #BlackLivesMatter protest takes over #BrooklynBridge

The Manhattan-bound roadway of the Brooklyn Bridge right now:

Protesters were reportedly arrested on the bridge:

Arrests happening on the bridge #ShutDownA14

Stephen Davis, the New York Police Department’s chief spokesman, said 34 people had been arrested, according to the New York Times.

Several people were arrested during a march on the Brooklyn Bridge protesting police violence http://t.co/PHBuUo0FGS

Davis said the arrest count was expected to rise as precincts in Brooklyn and Manhattan continued to report their figures.

Protesters climbed the brooklyn bridge to avoid arrest by the NYPD at #A14ShutDown

Reports this evening that two of our NYPD officers were assaulted by protestors reminds us that here in New York City, violence or threats of violence against the police are unacceptable and will absolutely not be tolerated. These attacks will be thoroughly investigated, and we will urge the full prosecution of the perpetrators. And any other person who might use the right to peaceful protest as cover to initiate violence, cause mayhem or incite disorder – whether against the police, the people or property of our great City – should consider themselves on notice that New York City will not stand for it. Anyone who decides foolishly to engage in such destructive acts can expect a swift arrest and aggressive prosecution. As I have said before, such activity is beneath the dignity of New York City.

Activist Cornel West spoke at a rally in New York:

Thank you for constantly applying pressure and putting yourself on the line. #DrCornelWest #ClassicMan #ShutDownA14

In Cleveland, protesters marched through the streets carrying signs that read "Stop Murder By Police."

"Indict! Convict! Send those killer cops to jail! The whole damn system is guilty as hell!" City Hall. #ShutDownA14

In Springfield, Massachusetts, police reportedly arrested 15 protesters, according to MassLive.com.

.@SPD_HQ arrested 15 #WesternMA protestors for resisting arrest/disorderly conduct after a #BlackLivesMatter protest blocked traffic.

Protesters shout "pigs" and "racists" as arrests made in Springfield #BlackLivesMatter protest http://t.co/6UjH8eAZBF

Protesters also took to the streets of Los Angeles, blocking streets and a train line.

Another set of protesters blocking streets in downtown LA- group not happy with police.

After calls to disperse were ignored, about 20 protesters were arrested at the scene.

.@LAPDHQ now confirms 20 protesters have been placed under arrest in DTLA

In San Francisco, protesters blocked a freeway on-ramp:

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Six protesters were arrested by the California Highway Patrol:

CHP SF arrests 6 for attempting to take over I80 e/b at 4th St. #ShutDownA14

And demonstrators marched to City Hall:

#BlackLivesMatter protestors from 24th and Mission are stopped at the security gate to SF City Hall

#Breaking #BlackLivesMatter organizers calling for peaceful protest. Crowd confronting police

About 50 demonstrators marched through Oakland to protest:

Protesters in Oakland rallied outside City Hall and then moved inside.

#ShutdownA14 #BlackLivesMatter protesters in #Oakland. About 100 rallied outside City Hall today before moving inside

Protesters also blocked traffic on a freeway in Oakland:

UPDATE: Protesters march onto I-880, are cleared. One detained. http://t.co/09AG2f6mvT @daviddebolt #ShutDownA14

Some protesters wrote anti-cop messages in chalk on the police headquarters after briefly shutting down the freeway on-ramp.

#Oakland #ShutdownA14 now outside police HQ, which is locked. Chalk graffiti going up on wall.

In Atlanta, protesters came together against police shootings and rallied in particular for Kevin Davis, who was shot and killed in his home by a DeKalb County police officer last December.

This is the family of Kevin Davis who was killed by DeKalb County police last December #ShutDownA14

Davis' girlfriend, April Edwards, told BuzzFeed News that their roommate had stabbed her, and Davis helped her call 911. When police arrived, Davis' pit bull charged and Officer Joseph Pitts shot the dog.

According to reports, Davis came out of his bedroom after the first round of gunshots were fired at the dog. When Davis emerged, he was holding a gun and Pitts shot him.

The fatal shooting immediately sparked protests in the community, but Pitts does not face charges, according to Fox 5 News.

In Birmingham, Alabama, at least three protesters were arrested after blocking traffic, AL.com reported.

#BlackLivesMatter protest in Birmingham. Most protestors in the street were arrested.

#BlackLivesMatter intense protest and arrest. Video contains strong language.

In Madison, Wisconsin, streets were shut down because of the flood of protesters:

East High students shut down E. Washington Ave. #BlackLivesMatter #TonyRobinson https://t.co/Vsj5XJCMfQ

YGB leader says y'all can get comfortable, we're staying right here

In Chicago, about 200 protesters marched in the streets:

Some 200 protesters have taken over #DaleyCenter since 3pm 4 #ShutdownA14 #Chicago

#ShutdownA14 #Chicago rally/@ColumbiaChi studnt #AmandaWilkerson, 20: "Somthng's wrong in #America wen I fear police"

Protesters rallied in front of Pike Place Market in Seattle:

And inside:

Anti police-brutality march through Pike Place Market in Seattle. #ShutDownA14 More: http://t.co/6GCt0cOYfI

And protesters blocked off multiple streets as they marched:

Officers earlier force #ShutDownA14 protesters back into Westlake Park, out of road. http://t.co/IvQ2s7dg47

One protester carried a casket-shaped sign honoring Antonio Zambrano-Montes:

Zambrano-Montes was shot February 10 by police in Pasco, Washington. He was shot by police responding to reports that he had been throwing rocks at passing cars. Video captured Zambrano-Montes running from the police, turning around, and then waving his arms, before being fatally shot by officers.

Following his death, some residents of Pasco protested police brutality.

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