While reaffirming the right to peacefully assemble, Hoover officials are making clear through a series of arrests that “violent or otherwise dangerous actions that have the potential to threaten or injure” residents and visitors “will not be allowed.”
In the wake of Emantic “E.J.” Bradford, Jr. being shot and killed by a Hoover Police officer at the Riverchase Galleria on Thanksgiving night, protests have steadily escalated. Last week, protesters stopped traffic on I-459 and allegedly injured two security guards at the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa.
These two incidents have come seemingly as a line in the sand for the City of Hoover and the Hoover Police Department, who have consistently affirmed and respected the protesters’ rights to demonstrate peacefully. While continuing to recognize these foundational rights, the city and the police department issued a joint statement Monday making clear that lawlessness will not be tolerated.
Statement reads as follows:
Regarding the protests, the City of Hoover has stated consistently our support for each individual’s right to peacefully assemble. However, some of these protests have taken an unsafe turn and violent or otherwise dangerous actions that have the potential to threaten or injure our residents and visitors will not be allowed. We continue to support the community’s right to safely protest, while at the same time maintaining the safety of our entire community. Individuals violating the law will be prosecuted.
The statement came in the context of at least three protesters having been arrested since Thursday on respective misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct.
As WBRC outlined, 48-year-old Susan DiPrizio of Vestavia Hills was arrested and charged on Thursday. She allegedly was throwing Christmas ornaments into traffic on Highway 31 in front of Hoover City Hall in protest. It has also been alleged that she attempted to climb onto the hood of a vehicle as she blocked traffic.
Then, two men were arrested Sunday for warrants stemming from the I-459 protest.
Andy Baer, an assistant professor of history at UAB, was arrested during a traffic stop on Galleria Circle. He bonded out of jail Sunday.
Mark Myles was arrested inside the Riverchase Galleria and was later extradited to Bibb County for a separate warrant in that jurisdiction. He bonded out Monday morning.
“This is a serious public safety concern for everyone,” Hoover’s joint statement added. “We have consistently stated that we will not allow roads and highways to be blocked by protesters because it is hazardous and jeopardizes the safety of all citizens and visitors to Hoover.”
While protest leader Carlos Chaverst, Jr. has claimed to have a warrant out for his arrest due to a charge of disorderly conduct in Hoover, it is not clear how many more protesters are in the same boat. Chaverst said he would turn himself in on Saturday but has yet to do so as of Monday at 2:30 p.m.
There is an investigation into the Riverchase Galleria shootings currently underway by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), which is a division of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Besides investigating the officer-involved shooting death of Bradford, the SBI is looking into how a 12-year-old girl was shot. Erron Brown has also been arrested and charged as part of the investigation for allegedly shooting an 18-year-old friend of Bradford in an altercation at the scene.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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