LANSING, MI -- Lansing police arrested 13 people Sunday night and say thousands of dollars in damage was done by protesters who overturned cars, set fires and destroyed property following a day of peaceful protest in the city.
According to a press release from the Lansing Police Department, the scene turned a few hours into the protest when a group attempted to assault a woman in car on South Washington. Michigan State Police arrived first on the scene to protect the woman, but were surrounded by the crowd. Lansing Police arrived next and evacuated the MSP officers and the woman in the car.
Protesters on the scene told MLive media partner WLNS the driver of the car was trying to hit people before the car stopped.
“Rioters refused to disperse from the area and overturned the female’s car, smashed the windows and set fire to it. The rioters also overturned another vehicle in the area and began smashing the windows of multiple businesses, looting, assaulting police with rocks, bottles, and started several dangerous dumpster fires,” reads the press release from the Lansing Police Department.
Windows were broken out at several buildings in the city including at the Lansing Police Department headquarters and the Romney Building where Gov. Gretchen Whitmer works.
LPD says it warned protesters to leave the scene numerous times but they refused to cooperate with the orders.
“Therefore, consistent with usual and customary police practice, LPD dispersed chemical agents in attempts to dissuade ongoing, intensifying and dangerous criminal activity, to protect public and private property from felonious assaults, looting, arson and most importantly to protect the lives of innocent citizens,” the release reads.
Following the use of the chemical agents, police arrested several people on various charges including arson, vagrancy, damage to property and resisting arrest. The city also enacted a curfew at 9 p.m. and ordered people back to their homes until 5 a.m. Monday.
The LPD will continue to have a visible presence downtown and is working with businesses and property owners to asses the damage done. Anyone with information regarding the protest are requested to call the Lansing Police Department at 517-483-4600.