ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WKBW) — Crowds upwards of 2,000 people marched through Rochester Friday night, according to the Rochester Police Department.
According to affiliate 13WHAM, people walked through the downtown area chanting, singing songs and calling for justice for Daniel Prude and correction of the criminal justice system.
13WHAM reports Rochester police declared the protest an “unlawful assembly" following a peaceful gathering at Martin Luther King Jr. Park earlier in the evening Friday.
According to police, around 10:45 p.m., officers encountered members of the crowd who began throwing rocks, bottles, and other forms of debris. At that time, officers say they were "forced to begin dispersing the crowd east, toward South Avenue. Officers utilized pepper balls and pepper spray in order to accomplish this task."
Around midnight, police say officers encountered a large crowd near Court Street and South Clinton Avenue. They say the crowd began throwing rocks, bottles and other debris, as well as setting off small fires.
Police say a group then began "hurling commercial grade fireworks" at officers. Police then deployed tear gas into the crowd in an attempt to disperse the group.
Police say 11 individuals were arrested and three law enforcement officers were hospitalized. According to police, the injured officers have been treated and released.
