Five arrested after protesters block I-277 traffic, including a fire truck, CMPD says

Five people were arrested on Interstate 277 late Wednesday after they blocked the major uptown traffic artery as part of a protest, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

The incident included protesters throwing items at motorists who broke through the barricade, CMPD said early Thursday in a tweet.

In a press release, CMPD said that 20 protesters walked onto I-277 at the 4th Street Ramp at around 11:20 p.m., moved construction barrels and cones from the roadside and placed them across the roadway to block traffic

At least 70 vehicles, including Charlotte Fire Department Engine 42, were blocked by the protesters actions, CMPD said. “When CMPD officers arrived, the protesters fled, and the roadway was cleared of the demonstrators within six minutes,” the department said.

Some motorists drove through the barrels and “protesters threw items” at them, CMPD said in a tweet.

The five people who were arrested were charged with impeding traffic, CMPD said.

It marked the fourth time in the past two weeks that protesters attempt to block lanes of the interstate as part of civil rights demonstrations.

Uptown Charlotte has seen 13 days of protests, many of them peaceful. But there also have been more than 130 arrests, CMPD said.

Demonstrations, including incidents of clashes with police, have spread across the nation in connection with the May 25 death of George Floyd, 46, while in police custody of Minneapolis Police. He died after now-fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, as three other officers didn’t intervene.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He remains jailed with bail set at $1.25 million.

This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 6:14 AM with the headline "Five arrested after protesters block I-277 traffic, including a fire truck, CMPD says."