00:09Among those arrested were activist Alyssa Phillip, her mother Camille Carrasquero and blogger Jason
00:14DeSilva, as heavily armed officers maintained a tight security presence around Richmond and
00:19Sackville streets throughout the afternoon. Shortly before 4 p.m., tensions escalated when
00:24activist Jason DeSilva confronted officers near the DPP's office after being instructed to leave the
00:30area. In a dramatic moment witnessed by unlookers, DeSilva dropped to his knees with his hands raised,
00:36shouting, hands up, don't shoot, before lying flat on the ground as officers closed in around him.
00:42He was later taken into custody and escorted into a waiting police vehicle. Police led by senior
00:48officer including Deputy Commissioner of Police Susset Martin, ACP Gavin Henry and Superintendent
00:53Henry Baird, had warned earlier that no protest activity would be allowed near the DPP's office.
00:59TV6 observed Henry speaking with both Carrasquero and Phillip at least twice. They were both warned
01:04that the pavements needed to be cleared for public passage and that the gathered group could not
01:09chant loudly to create a disturbance. At both warnings, the group agreed to the request.
01:14The police also instructed the protesters to move from in front of the DPP's office
01:18and to take the protest further down the roadway. The group complied and gathered in front of the
01:24Sacred Heart Catholic Church at the corner of Sackville and Richmond Streets. It was about that
01:29time the riot police had gathered and officers blocked Richmond Street near the Honda dealership
01:33and directed traffic towards Charles Street. While in front of the church, the group began with a
01:39prayer and then chanting. Among the chants were shame on the TTPS. The COP must go and Alexander must go.
01:47It was here that DCP Henry approached the group one more time and began warning them that they could
01:52not block the pavement and that they had been told about loud chanting. Phillip began to read from a
01:58prepared statement that she had. When this was done, DCP Henry signaled to the riot police to detain Phillip.
02:03Her mother grabbed onto the young woman while this was being done, telling the officers to let her child go.
02:10They even called for female police officers to handle the situation as the riot police, who responded, were mostly men.
02:16The group then pushed the two women onto Sackville Street and placed them into a vehicle. The protesters followed,
02:22condemning the action of the police. It was here that riot police then gathered and formed a linked blockade with
02:28batons.
02:28On three different occasions, they called on protesters to disperse. However, this was ignored. They moved on to the
02:35protesters to force them away from the scene. They pushed the group, which included a woman who had gathered with
02:41her child, and forced them once again back to Richmond Street. After a few minutes, the group opted to disperse
02:47from the
02:48area and agreed to gather at Woodford Square. The protest action stemmed from the controversial decision to charge
02:54Kaya Sili with Samaru's killing, along with three counts of shooting at police officers and several
02:59firearm-related offenses. The case has sparked national debate since video footage surfaced earlier this year,
03:05appearing to show police officers firing at the vehicle occupied by Samaru and Sili after a chase in
03:11St. Augustine on January 20. Samaru was killed during the incident, while Sili was left paralyzed. Up to late Wednesday
03:19night,
03:19remain unclear whether charges will be lead against the individuals arrested during the attempted demonstration.
03:26Terence Galak, TV6 News
Comments