Police: Detained protesters released after painting street in front of state Capitol

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - A few people were arrested during a protest Tuesday at the Alabama State Capitol.

The protest, held by the Save Our Selves for Justice and Democracy group, was in response to the arrest of five group members who reportedly painted “Black Lives Matter” in front of the Capitol on July 16.

WSFA 12 News video shows a few people being arrested Tuesday. A few appear to be trying to spray paint the street in front of the Capitol.

According to Montgomery Police Captain Saba Coleman, officers responded to the area in reference to protesters painting the street in front of the Capitol steps. They notified the City of Montgomery’s Traffic Engineering Department, and the paint was deemed noncompliant because organizers failed to request and obtain proper permitting and prior approval.

Coleman said the protesters involved were detained, but they were released with charges pending.

Alabama SOS said nine people were arrested during Tuesday’s demonstration, fewer than half of whom took part in trying to paint the pavement.

The protest was part of the group’s ongoing efforts to get the state to expand Medicaid. The members arrested after the July 16 protest were charged with one misdemeanor count of “Deface any Public Building or Public Property.”

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