04/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/29/2024 14:00
On April 28, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m., NOPD Eighth District officers responded to a reported protest at Jackson Square. At approximately 7:00 p.m., officers publicly announced that the park was closing and asked protesters to leave. While many of the protestors left the park peacefully, others remained and additional persons attempted to scale the fence and enter the park. As officers continued to ask protesters to leave, some became violent striking officers with objects.
Five officers reported injuries in this incident, receiving blows to the head and body. The officers were transported to a local hospital for treatment and were later released. All are currently listed in stable condition.
Any protestors who complained of injuries were offered medical attention by EMS on scene and were offered transport to local hospitals.
Twelve protestors were arrested and charged with the following in this incident:
R.S.14:63 Relative to Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:34.2 Battery on an Officer (2 Counts).
R.S.14:107.2 (A) Hate Crime on Law Enforcement.
R.S.14:108.2 Resisting an Officer by Force or Violence (2 Counts).
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:34 Aggravated Battery on a Police Officer.
R.S.14:107.2(A.) Hate Crime on Law Enforcement.
R.S.14:108.2 Resisting an Officer by Force or Violence
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:34.2 Battery on a Police Officer.
R.S.14:107.2(A.) Hate Crime on Law Enforcement.
R.S.14: 108.2 Resisting an Officer by Force or Violence.
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:108 Resisting an Officer.
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass. R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
R.S.14:63 Criminal Trespass.
R.S.14:329 Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation.
None of the arrested subjects offered residential addresses.
The NOPD was assisted by our law enforcement partners with Louisiana State Police and the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.
Investigation into this incident remains active and ongoing. No further information is available. Anyone with information that can assist with this investigation is urged to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080 or report information anonymously to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans anonymously at 504-822-1111.
The NOPD is aware of additional protests planned to take place on local college campuses and will be monitoring the situation.