Trump protest: 15 arrested, 2 officers injured, NOPD warns no masks
By Beau Evans, NOLA.com The Times-Picayune
on January 20, 2017 at 11:00 PM
A protest against President Donald Trump Friday night (Jan. 20) left two New Orleans police officer injured resulted in 15 people arrested on charges ranging from inciting a riot to felony battery in the French Quarter and Central Business District, according to authorities. As a result, the New Orleans Police Department has issued a stern warning: anyone wearing a mask during upcoming protests Saturday night will be immediately arrested.
[...]
During press conference, Harrison said the stretch of vandalism Friday night struck businesses, historical buildings and police cars in the French Quarter and Central Business District. Harrison said the damage was wrought by "anarchist" protestors who merged with a larger rally held by Take 'Em Down NOLA that began in front of City Hall Friday afternoon and wound around the Central Business District.
As they merged with the larger protest, Harrison said officers identified the "anarchist" portions of the group as wearing masks to conceal their identities. That practice, Harrison said, will not be allowed during any protesting that may take place Saturday night. Anyone caught wearing a mask at night will be arrested, Harrison said.
The zero-tolerance policy for masking Harrison emphasized is in keeping with state law, which prohibits wearing masks in public that conceal a person's identity except during Halloween and Mardi Gras. Harrison said during the press conference Friday night that the state's masking law has always been in effect, but that it will be much more vigorously enforced given the intensity of Friday night's vandalism and violence.
(much more at the link)
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/...sted_2_of.html