Just came from a protest tonight. Saw first hand how LMPD tried to purposely provoke peaceful demonstrators to react. It was downright criminal. Absolutely no reason for it. I saw everything, was out front and saw it all. It was a shameful attempt at intimidation and

it has to stop. We were peacefully protesting and had been for a couple of hours. Then all of a sudden as we were returning to the Square we were blocked by a line of police cars and LMPD in riot gear. So we turned to go left down a street and we could see a line of LMPD

in riot gear as well. They were a ways off so we started down that street to perhaps turn off before we got to them but they rushed toward us with gear and sticks. We were telling the crowd to stay calm and not run so they wouldn’t have an excuse to harm

anyone. So we turned back to go in the opposite direction of both line of LMPD. But when we turned they were behind us as well and we were hemmed in with nowhere to go. That group also had on riot gear and were carrying sticks. Soon we heard several loud noises and realized

it was the percussion canisters they use (I don’t know the technical name) to intimidate & try to confuse you. We thought tear gas would be next so we started moving in the only direction we had and that was behind us toward the line of LMPD. When we asked the sergeant who was

at the line of LMPD behind us blocking off the only way out we had, why we were being treated like this they said it was because we were marching in the street. At no time were we told why were being treated the way we were until we asked. It was sudden. At no time did

LMPD stop us or prevent us for the couple of hours were marching. In fact, they moved aside so that we could continue at a couple of places. It was not curfew. There were women and children present. Fortunately we stayed calm and did not play into what was obviously an

attempt at provocation. The line of LMPD behind us ended up letting us through after conversation from some of the organizers. This is how LVille and it’s leadership treats it’s own citizens who are peacefully exercising their first amendment rights. If we had fallen for

the tactic of intimidation the news would have read that it was a violent demonstration never exposing the fact that it was peaceful until provoked by LMPD. It’s a good thing there were so many press there to see it for themselves. There needs to be a change in the

leadership in the city of LVille. And I promise, we are going to make sure that change comes. Every elected official please take note.