Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A dozen people were arrested in Jackson Square over the weekend as a result of a protest.
According to the New Orleans Police Department, on Sunday, April 28, officers worked to clear the area of pro-Palestine protestors, who were gathered at Jackson Square after it was closed.
Officers say most protestors left peacefully, but some resisted and started to hit police with objects.
After calling for assistance at 7:51 p.m., a total of five NOPD officers were injured and 12 people were arrested.
Those arrested were:
- Carli Wayt, 28
- Daniel Gibbs, 30
- Emorie Robert, 28
- Ellen Tracy, 30
- Rylie Jack, 24
- Caitlin Cowlen, 31
- Gina Marie Guiloana, 32
- William Thomas, 37
- Liam Goering-Moore, 26
- Sarah Workman, 26
- Alexander Hardy, 26
- Rachel Hood, 26
The demonstration is one of many happening across the country on college campuses.
The arrests come days after a woman was seen on security cameras allegedly spray-painting graffiti on the wall of The Presbytère in Jackson Square with sayings such as “The people call 4 a cease-fire.”
Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says he is offering up $5,000 of his own money for information that can lead to the woman’s arrest.
The incident is under investigation.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a statement about the incident.
I want to thank the members of the NOPD Eighth District for their service and professionalism during the Sunday, April 28 demonstration in Jackson Square.
There are many peaceful protests that take place in the city, but when those demonstrations turn negative, our NOPD will do their job to de-escalate and restore order and make sure that constitutional policing takes place.
We send our support to the injured officers and their families. The five officers were medically treated and released from the hospital and are now recovering from their injuries. We also thank the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police for their assistance in this law enforcement response.
It is never okay for any demonstrators to negatively attack our police officers when they are working to protect and serve our city. We are proud of the women and men in our police department, and we recognize their dedication and courage for the jobs they do every day and will continue to stand with them as they work to strive to make our city safe.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell
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