DOWNTOWN — Four people protesting police brutality were arrested Saturday during a march coinciding with the anniversary of Laquan McDonald's death.
Chicago Police said 40 to 50 protesters were marching in the 700 block of North Michigan Avenue around 2 p.m. They were told not to go into the street, police said, but a handful did not comply.
"Despite instructions being given by police and event organizers, four individuals did not follow repeated requests to leave the roadway and they obstructed the police line," police said in a statement.
RELATED: On Laquan Day, Protesters Gather To Fight For Change
Police said misdemeanor charges for "Pedestrian in Roadway-Due Care" were pending against the four, who were not named.
The protest, which continued into the evening, came two days after the second anniversary of McDonald's death on Oct. 20, 2014. McDonald was shot by a police officer Jason Van Dyke, who is facing murder charges.
Sunsara Taylor tweeted a video of the encounter, saying protesters were "brutally arrested at peaceful permitted protest."
4 people brutally arrested at peaceful permitted protest to stop POLICE murder today in Chicago. #16shots #revcom pic.twitter.com/ZF9PNzj14E
— Sunsara Taylor (@SunsaraTaylor) October 22, 2016
Earlier, the protesters were seen marching near a Zara clothing store on the Mag Mile. They chanted, "Gulity as hell. The whole damn system is guilty as hell!"
Indict convict seems the killer chips 2 jail
— Sunsara Taylor (@SunsaraTaylor) October 22, 2016
The while dann system it's GUILTY AS HELL!#revcom#16shots pic.twitter.com/QaXvz4oD23
Police said, "We strongly support freedom of speech and expression. CPD officers work very hard to protect the rights and safety of demonstrators and attempt to facilitate demonstrations in the safest manner possible."
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