Police say a protest at Ithaca PD headquarters started after officers were blocked from attempting to respond to a ‘shots fired’ call during the afternoon rush hour on Thursday.
IPD said in a release that a sergeant was attempting to leaving police headquarters with lights and sirens on shortly after 5 p.m. to respond to a report of shots fired when his vehicle was blocked by a protester.
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The protester was arrested for obstructing governmental administration for refusing to allow the emergency vehicle to pass.
The arrest resulted in approximately 30 protesters arriving at IPD headquarters shortly thereafter.
Police say many of the protesters could be seen climbing onto the front roof of the IPD entrance, banging on windows and engaging in forms of graffiti. Police allege that some of them even entered the foyer area and banged and kicked on doors and walls while inside.
Approximately two hours later, an unlawful assembly was declared and several more protesters were arrested when they refused to disperse.
Police did not identify the protesters in a press release, but noted that a short burst of pepper spray was directed at the ground near the protesters to get them to leave.
The group left, and later returned, prompting additional resources from New York State Police and the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office to be called in to the area.
Police said additional updates would be provided, but did not give any additional information about the incidents or arrests as of Friday morning.
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