NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans police used tear gas during a late night protest on a Mississippi River bridge when protesters refused commands against trying to cross.
Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson was expected to discuss the Wednesday night protest at a Thursday news conference.
The late Wednesday night encounter resulted in hundreds of demonstrators scattering on the bridge known as the Crescent City Connection hours after a rally and march began near New Orleans City Hall. It was one of the continuing protests around the nation arising from the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The department said on its Twitter page that tear gas was used after protesters refused to obey three orders not to attempt to cross the bridge.
“Escalation and confrontation hurts us all,” one department post said. “NOPD is committed to respectful protection of our residents’ First Amendment rights. However, tonight we were compelled to deploy gas on the CCC in response to escalating, physical confrontation with our officers.”