Protests’ 1st night leads to 5 arrests

Protests in downtown Conway in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis resulted in five arrests the first night, but were mostly calmer afterward, according to the Conway Police Department.

“We have had a peaceful week of protests here in Conway,” said LaTresha Woodruff, Conway police public information officer. “The role of the Conway Police Department has been to safeguard the protesters’ right to protest and to ensure a safe environment. We are grateful to all involved.”

The crowd, which was consistently upward of 300 people, first gathered May 31 at Harkrider and Oak streets.

The five arrests the first night included Joseph Hayes, 18, of Conway and Price Dealeion Smith, 18, of Mayflower.

According to the police report, Conway officer Chad Wilson said the protesters at Oak and Harkrider streets began to calm down when Smith and Hayes pulled into the Walgreens parking lot riding on the top of a SUV.

The vehicle, which was driving without its headlights on, stopped, the two men stood up, and screamed obscenities and made derogatory comments about the police, the report said.

Both were charged with disorderly conduct and taken to the Faulkner County jail.

Arkansas State Police troopers arrested Corterious Keijaun Spiceson, 21, of Conway on charges of disorderly conduct and fighting during the protests on Oak Street. He was taken to jail.

About 11 that same night, officer Steven Spurgers arrested Michael Smith, 20, of Stuttgart on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Spurgers was assisting in crowd control when the crowd did not comply with multiple orders to disperse. The officer got his shield to help others push the crowd back. He was struck with a water bottle and splashed when a plastic cup with a yellow liquid landed near his feet.

Tear gas was deployed when more objects were thrown at the officers, according to the police report.

Spurgers and the other officers formed a line and advanced toward the crowd, giving orders to disperse, the report said. A small part of the group remained.

A man, later identified as Smith, was walking slowly away but stopped twice and “acted like he was tying his shoes,” the report said. Spurgers said he ordered him to leave, but Smith ignored him, according to the report.

Spurgers tapped him with his shield, and Smith shoved the officer’s shield and began yelling, the report said. Spurgers ordered Smith to leave, then Smith jumped forward as if getting ready to strike the officer. according to the report. Spurgers pushed Smith back with his shield, and Smith fell to the ground, the report said.

Other officers at the scene grabbed Smith and eventually took him to jail.

Officer Andrew Burningham arrested Dakobe Raquez McDonald, 20, of Stuttgart on a charge of disorderly conduct.

According to the police report, McDonald was disrupting a peaceful protest when he began cursing, screaming and “being obnoxious” while blocking a traffic lane and refusing to move.

Officers placed McDonald on the ground when he resisted arrest and handcuffed him, the report said. He was taken to jail.