Police make 27 arrests in protests overnight

Police arrested at least 27 people overnight during a protest that started Saturday evening at NW 23 and N Classen Boulevard and ended early Sunday at Oklahoma City Police Department Headquarters.

Fire officials, meanwhile, reported four fires related to the protest that were started after midnight, including a sheriff's van outside t he Oklahoma City jail. Battalion Chief Benny Fulkerson also reported a business fire in the 1200 block of N Western, a grass fire in the 700 block of Robert S. Kerr, and a building fire, the location of which was not disclosed.

Police MasterS gt. Gary Knight said 13 of the 27 arrests were made in the early stages of the protest for vandalism and assault on police officers. One of the officers was struck by an object and two other officers were physically assaulted, he said.

Most of the rally carried on peacefully, as participants chanted against the killings of black Americans by police.

Hundreds marched a 3-mile route from NW 23 and Classen to the Plaza District before returning by way of NW 23 and N Pennsylvania Avenue. Many continued south on Classen to police headquarters, 700 Col cord, where officers wearing riot gear a waited their arrival.

Knight reported minimal injuries. "Nobody got seriously injured," he said.

Protesters were backed away with tear gas and eventually dispersed from the area after midnight.

"It went on well into the morning," Knight said. "They were still trying to clear out stragglers at 3:15 a.m."

Protests and riots sprung up across the nation last week following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Monday.

Arrested overnight on complaints of disorderly conduct were:

Ruthie Boyett, 28, Oklahoma City Victoria Craig, 27, Oklahoma City Jess Eddy, 30, Oklahoma City Kane Farmer, 20, Edmond Mark Faulk, 64, Oklahoma City Micah Friedman, 34, Oklahoma City

Joseph Garcia, 25, unknown Destiny Lindsey, 21, Clinton Ever Martinez, 20, Clarksville, Arkansas

Demetrius Pearson, 19, Owasso Penny Reynolds, 46, Midwest City

Cory Walkingstick, 37, Oklahoma City

Arrested on complaint of rioting: Daniel Beishline, 24, Oklahoma City

Jakob Luna, 23, Oklahoma City Conner McKitrick, 25, Edmond Elizabeth McKitrick, 24, Edmond Tesfaye Natnael, 38, Snelville, Georgia

Luis Rodriguez, 28, Weatherford Jude Sellers, 21, Oklahoma City Dylan Smith, 29, Oklahoma City Micah Stover, 23, Oklahoma City

Arrested on complaints of assault with a dangerous weapon, use of offensive weapon in commission of a felony and resisting arrest: Adion Mallett, 21, Warr Acres

Arrested on complaint of aggravated assault and battery on a police officer:

Aaron Snider, 35, Oklahoma City

Fire department busy during protests

Here is a look at the events the the Oklahoma City Fire Department handled Saturday night and early Sunday. These events were related to the protests.

9 p.m.: Command post mobilized 12:01 a.m.: Vehicle fire at Oklahoma County jail; sheriff's van burned

1:58 a.m.: Commercial Fire Alarm – business fire 1200 block N. Western at Dress for Success 2:05 a.m.: Grass fire 700 block Robert S. Kerr

2:34 a.m.: Commercial fire alarm – building on fire

There were no reports of injuries during these incidents.

Arrested on complaints of disorderly conduct and animal cruelty:

Saxon Weber, 26, Oklahoma City