A protest march in response to the Ferguson, Mo., grand jury decision in the Michael Brown slaying shut down I-75 north Tuesday evening and several of the marchers have been arrested.
Our news partner WCPO TV in Cincinnati and other Queen City-area media are reporting that the interstate was shut down briefly as the protesters, and then Cincinnati police, made their way onto the on-ramp from Ezzard Charles Drive downtown.
Tiffaney Hardy, a Cincinnati Police Division spokeswoman, said seven to 10 people have been arrested. Those arrested would be cited for pedestrian violations, police indicated.
The protest began at the Federal Courthouse building near Fountain Square, where people rallied in response to the grand jury’s decision to decline charges against a Ferguson, Mo., police officer in the August shooting.
Other Cincinnati-area media are reporting that after protesters moved away from the interstate, they continued marching eastward back into the city.
A group gathered near the Cincinnati Horseshoe Casino, where police threatened more arrests if those involved did not remain on the sidewalk.
Bishop Bobby Hilton, with the Cincinnati chapter of the National Action Network, organized the protest. He told a Cincinnati TV station he did not condone protesters walking onto the interstate and wanted a peaceful demonstration.
The Cincinnati protest was one of several held across the nation in the aftermath of Monday night’s announced decision.