Influential Black Lives Matter activist, DeRay Mckesson is one of over 100 individuals arrested late Saturday into early Sunday after a night of protests and unrest in Baton Rouge. The tension comes following a week of national protests calling for police accountability after the deaths of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, rounding out the week with the killings of officers in Dallas. Images of McKesson being arrested circulated on social media as he is seen cooperating with officers.
He was charged with “simple obstruction of a highway of commerce” and released on Sunday afternoon.
The conditions of his release were not listed.
Deray Mckesson Affidavit of Probable Cause by AdvocateOnline on Scribd
Mckesson posted about the experience via Twitter, thanking his supporters.
As I was in the cell over the past 17 hours, I thought of the quote that simply says if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
5 days ago, we saw the character of a few #BatonRouge officers as they used their power to act as the judge/jury then kill #AltonSterling.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
4 days ago, we saw the character of a police officer in MN, like those in #BatonRouge, as he used his power to executive #PhilandoCastillo.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
3 days ago, we saw activists & organizers continue to challenge the abuse of power of police officers in the name of the newly fallen.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
2 days ago, the protests continued to grow in #BatonRouge & shifted from Foster to Airline, as folks steadfastly challenged police power.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
1 day ago, just last night, we saw the police abuse their power & intentionally provoke protestors in order to create & exploit conflict.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
There is no group of citizens that should be able to exercise their power w/o accountability or transparency, like the police currently can.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
In the Parrish prison cells, we continued to talk about the work of social justice & to build community. We all continue to grow.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
At times, all 50 of us were in one cell, unable to all sit, sleeping on the floor or under the benches. But our spirits remained strong.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
I learned much about #BatonRouge from Chris, Miguel, & countless others while in custody & was also able to share info re: social justice.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
We talked about a lot in those cells — about #BlackGirlMagic in protest, the Metro Council, new ways of organizing, and voting.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
And we are working w/ so many incredible folks to ensure that the rest of the people arrested get released quickly, too.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
I think of protest as truth-telling in public. And I will never be afraid to tell the truth.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
And shout-out to @Twitter and @periscopeco for helping us tell our story last night & over the past few years. Y'all are invaluable.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
And thank you to the young woman who allowed me to text from her phone when I first got arrested so I could contact friends & the media.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
I love my blackness. And yours.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
And thank you to everyone who called, emailed, tweeted, texted, or donated on behalf of those of us who were arrested last night.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
Sidenote: jail breakfast is awful & they'd be much better off buying apples to replace the "oatmeal" & the OJ is grainy.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
I'm going to get a quick nap now. Sleeping on the floor under the fluorescent light of a jail leaves a lot to be desired. Be well, y'all.
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 10, 2016
Once everyone got word that DeRay was okay, the party began.
In the #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty like 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/lDmPQA59lI
— Autumn. (@finesse_autumn) July 10, 2016
Quick praise break to start it off right b/c it was nobody but GOD #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty https://t.co/j3co2ZXx29
— ShakariSBriggs (@ShakariSBriggs) July 10, 2016
Me arriving to the #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/0GieZMH2a6
— Ricky Fontaine (@hoodopulence) July 10, 2016
Rolling up to #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty like….. pic.twitter.com/ZjTF0JtuPj
— First of her name (@HageeBear) July 10, 2016
A nondiscriminatory, peaceful gathering.
Me and @x3_Mea teaching our white friend that support BLM how to get in formation at the #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/CzUXrIEEWA
— Tracy SLAYcy ✨ (@TKapyamba) July 11, 2016
Some came bearing gifts.
Gift registry… #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/yPCPN6aNaF
— Truthiest (@tmtweetz) July 10, 2016
And the DJ played all the jamz.
#DerayHasBeenReleasedParty Let's get it crunk, we gon have fun up on up in this dancery pic.twitter.com/FDkSxTMrZo
— maya 🙂 (@ebonixcs) July 10, 2016
#DerayHasBeenReleasedParty the music is bumping pic.twitter.com/DEzLZEBMcC
— Braidyoncé (@Trillxonce) July 10, 2016
With a few special dedications.
About to hit the stage and sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/mQ7rXBIEmk
— Kristopher✊ (@Krischievous) July 10, 2016
The VIP section was LIT, too.
Oh #BlackTwitter. You make me smile. This #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty is just what I needed today. I love us. Onward. pic.twitter.com/wrIUXFmora
— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) July 10, 2016
Secruity was extremely tight.
Security doesn't recognize #StaceyDash on the guest list. #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/nheFo9Q44L
— ⚡️DJ Styles⚡️ (@somanystyles) July 10, 2016
#DerayHasBeenReleasedParty Omarion's baby momma just tried to slide thru but i remember she tweeted all lives matter pic.twitter.com/V4vqFGKf7A
— ZÉ (@smallbellybella) July 10, 2016
Security at the door waiting for the #alllivesmatter folks like #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/gkkVC7wYV8
— Darianne (@lovejaelle) July 11, 2016
Walking past the "All Lives Matter" crew. #derayhasbeenreleasedparty pic.twitter.com/JVKjB7RCd3
— Jocelyn Dee (@jocelyn528) July 10, 2016
Hats off to the chef.
Who made this potato salad? 😂😂😂😂😂#DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/nAzO71z71Z
— real facade (@realfacade1) July 10, 2016
Awwww shiii, the peach cobbler just arrived. #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/sYvSXvkxSn
— Serial Chiller (@Revolut10nARI) July 10, 2016
I have to dance off all that macaroni I ate… #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/t9Ma9GgX3w
— Damatrè&Jermelangel (@neyneyzone6) July 10, 2016
And plenty of drinks flowing.
IN OTHER NEWS
this #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty is LIT! i hear the open bar is stocked up on the good shit pic.twitter.com/hhNm5A9fGf— liza sabater (@blogdiva) July 11, 2016
I made a guest appearance.
Sorry ya'll I'm late. Had a pie cooking. #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/tO2z4QWAeS
— GirlTyler (@sheistyler) July 10, 2016
But had to dip early.
Can't stay long. Gotta get back to the house & get these greens started. Be good ya'll. #DerayHasBeenReleasedParty pic.twitter.com/BCaskGlhye
— GirlTyler (@sheistyler) July 10, 2016
