Four Arrested in Durham After Police Clear Protest Encampment Blocking Traffic Near Station

DURHAM – Claiming, and refusing to leave, protest zones has become trendy among the woke. In the Bull City, protesters had camped outside of the police station. But when they recently started building barricades that impeded traffic, the department decided it was time to clear it out.

Four arrests were made as confrontations with protesters erupted.

From WRAL:

“A group that has camped outside the Durham Police Department for more than a week was blocking the street outside the building early Thursday morning.

Police ended the demonstration and cleared the barricades created by protesters at around 11 a.m. Thursday. When Durham Police went to open attempt and open up the road, that’s when conflict arose. Four people were arrested and charged with impeding the flow of traffic and resisting, delaying or obstructing a law enforcement officer.

Thursday was the 10th day that these demonstrators had been on the ground protesting against the police.

The road outside of the Durham Police headquarters is now clear. […]”

The four arrested were:

• Deonte Moses, 27, of Chapel Hill
• Matthew Helton, 36, of Durham
• Sheddrick Gibbs, 33, of Durham
• Matthew Butler, 38, of Mount Olive

According to police, they group began stacking pallets as a barricade to block the police headquarters around 3:00 AM Thursday morning.

“Blocking and impeding the flow of traffic with permanent structures in the public right of way is unacceptable, and interferes with the commuting public at large. The Durham Police Department is respectful of those who wish to exercise their First Amendment Rights and peacefully protest. However, those privileges must be exercised while ensuring the highest level of public safety is afforded to our entire community.”

The fact the law enforcement must explain its decision to remove barricades from impeding main traffic thoroughfares is remarkable. Yet, in this day and age, egg shells must be walked on in avoidance of the further awakening the woke.