24 arrests after Chicago police, protesters clash Saturday night

Sean Noone, Dana Rebik, Marcella Raymond, WGN Web Staff

Updated: Aug 16, 2020 / 02:58 PM CDT

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown wears a face mask at a news conference on Monday, July 27, 2020 in Chicago. Police are reporting a drop in homicides and shooting incidents after the department rolled out two units designed to combat gun violence and ensure protests remain peaceful. The city reported three homicides over the weekend compared to 12 the weekend before. It was the first weekend that the 300-member Community Safety Team was dispatched to communities on the West and South sides where there has been an uptick in violent crime. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford)

CHICAGO (NewsNation/WGN-TV) — Twenty-four people were arrested after Chicago police and protesters clashed Saturday night.

On Sunday morning, Chicago police released surveillance footage showing what they said sparked the confrontation.

It shows some protesters taking out umbrellas and advancing towards the police line.

The following video footage shows the initial incident that sparked yesterday's violence and arrests, as well as the aggravated battery against a CPD officer with a skateboard. More video will be released throughout the day as it is received. pic.twitter.com/oW7Z3oGKSZ
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) August 16, 2020

Several youth activist groups, including Increase The Peace and Good Kids, Mad City, met at Millennium Park around 4 p.m.

After they held a rally there, they began marching through the Loop which is located in Chicago’s downtown. At times, they clashed with police.

Tensions flared near Randolph and Dearborn, where officers in riot gear were seen shoving protesters back with their shields, some of them hitting demonstrators with batons. Other video showed protesters hitting police officers with a skateboard and other objects.

It was just one of several heated moments Saturday night as Chicago Police Department (CPD) bicycle officers formed perimeters near Lake and Michigan. The bridges were raised over the Chicago River to try to keep the protesters from advancing through the Loop.

At around 8 p.m., protesters said police issued an order to disperse — but then the protesters said they were blocked in at LaSalle and Adams.

A short time later, minors were allowed to leave first and then the rest of the protesters.

During a news conference Saturday night, Chicago police Supt. David Brown said 24 arrests were made, including four felony arrests for battery of officers.

Two protesters were treated for injuries and 17 officers were treated for injuries, CPD said.

“An officer was beaten in the head several times with a skateboard,” Supt. Brown said.

On Sunday, Jeremy Johnson, 25, was charged for allegedly using a skateboard to beat a police officer.

Brown was quick to point out that the group was separate from the protesters who attempted to shut down the Dan Ryan on Saturday.

“This group deployed large black umbrellas, changed their appearance and began pushing our officers and eventually assaulting them,” Supt. Brown said.

CTA service on the green, brown, orange and pink lines bypassed downtown from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. The Red and Blue lines continued to run in the Loop.