2 Charged After Protesters Shut Down Route 8 In Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, CT — State police released new details about the peaceful protest that shut down Route 8 in Bridgeport in both directions for several hours Saturday. Two people out of crowd of about 150 were arrested.

The protest began around 3:30 p.m. on Route 8 around Exit 3. The highway was shutdown from 3:30 p.m. until just before 8 p.m.

Troop G along with Troop I police personnel and other local agencies arrived to maintain "civil obedience and protect both the protesters and those impacted by the protest." The protest was in regard to the death of George Floyd, who died this week in police custody in Minnesota.

"The group ... remained non-confrontational with Troopers; only carrying signs, videoing and posting social media postings, and yelling," state police said. "Troopers were able to clear the highway of all traffic stuck on Route 8."

Around 6 p.m., most of the protesters left and about 12 remained as they sat on the southbound travel lanes refusing to leave, state police said.

At 7:03 p.m., the remaining protesters were asked to leave, and then they were asked again at 7:11 p.m. All but two protesters left, and they were both arrested and taken into custody without incident, state police said.

Michelle Martinez, 21, of Smith Street in Bridgeport, and Alia Cotton, 22, of Castro Valley, California, were charged with use of highway by pedestrians, second-degree breach of peace and interfering with an officer. They were given $1,000 bonds.

See also: Thousands Protest In CT Over Death Of George Floyd: Live Updates

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