Video shows an officer using a taser-like device on a man being held down by four other officers has circulated social media.
Authorities cleared several encampments of protesters near the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee on Thursday at 8 a.m., making at least two arrests in the process. Several demonstrators said officers were armed with assault rifles and approaching individuals aggressively.
Richmond police delivered a summons the day prior that said occupants were in violation of a camping ordinance that bans anyone from quartering on public ground maintained by the city.
According to reports from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, officers and protesters got in a scuffle after several minutes of talking. Officers deployed pepper spray and, according to the RPD, “conducted an electrical device.”
A video of a man being wrestled by five officers has been circulating social media, showing the police using a taser-like device on the man.
“That’s not necessary. He’s already on the ground,” an off-camera voice said in the video.
Authorities also confiscated or destroyed numerous items like tents, chairs, clothes, and bottles of water that belonged to the protesters. Tents were crushed by earth-moving equipment and loaded into a dump truck.
Justin Killough and Kadia Taylor were arrested and charged with assault on a law enforcement officer. Richmond police have not supplied further details on those arrests.
According to a demonstrator who identified herself as Sade, police gave occupants on the north side of the statue less time to pack up than people on the west side, which led to the altercations.
Politics
Trump says he would allow red states to track pregnancies, prosecute abortion ban violators
In an interview published by Time magazine this week, former president Donald Trump detailed his plans for a potential second term and said he would...
VIDEO: Youngkin, Democrats to start over on budget talks
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Democratic leaders in Virginia's General Assembly are re-starting state budget negotiations on friendlier footing...
Local News
The zodiac signs of 12 iconic women offer insight into their historic accomplishments
Zodiac signs can tell you a lot about someone’s personality. Whether they’re an earth, water, air, or fire sign, these 12 categories (which are...
Virginia verses: Celebrating 5 poetic icons for National Poetry Month
There’s no shortage of great writers when it comes to our commonwealth. From the haunting verses of Edgar Allan Poe, who found solace in Richmond's...