OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - Omaha Police released details about a protest hosted by Problac that happened on Saturday night in front of police headquarters.
The protest was held in response to an officer-involved shooting on Thursday that left a 35-year-old Black man dead. A grand jury will be called to review the shooting.
Police said they attempted to speak with organizers beforehand to ensure the event would be safe for everyone but were told organizers didn't want to speak with them.
Police said once the protest began at 6 p.m., attendees attempted to agitate officers by "constantly degrading" them with "profane language." Police said the protest was still lawful.
Around 8 p.m., police said attendees began to march eastbound on Howard Street. They walked through the Old Market and then back to police headquarters.
Around 9 p.m., police said multiple parties began to cut the yellow police tape surrounding police plaza but did not approach officers. Police said the tape was re-applied but cut again a short time later. Police also said someone threw a full cup of hot coffee at officers.
At 9:20 p.m. and then again two minutes later, police command warned the attendees via bullhorn not to cross the tape.
An hour later, police said a man and a woman arrived with signs supporting police. Police said they held their signs in silence and did not obstruct the protesters. At 10:25, police said a large cloth sign was used by protesters in an attempt to shield the pro police people from officers' view.
Officers said they re-positioned themselves and saw the pro-police people being assaulted and their signs torn. Officers said they entered the crowd and removed two women who had assaulted the people supporting the police.
Officers said they deployed pepper balls to the sidewalk in front of the agitators and pepper spray while controlling the crowd and arresting suspects.
After that incident, police command used a bullhorn to tell the attendees to go home and that the event was now declared an unlawful assembly due to "violence and disorderly conduct."
Police said the crowd gradually reduced in size and was gone by 11:30 p.m.
Two people were arrested during Saturday's protest:
35-year-old Rosalyn Mizzel-Fuller of Omaha
Cited for Disorderly Conduct and Destruction of Property
32-year-old Tia White of Omaha
Cited for Misdemeanor Assault 2X and Disorderly Conduct
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.
