Atlantic City Police say seven men were arrested Saturday afternoon during a protest where the Atlantic City Expressway was blocked.

Authorities say the group, which was a part of a protest, began in the 2700 block of Atlantic Avenue at the Public Safety Building. The group walked to the Peter Egnor Bridge on Albany Avenue where they briefly blocked traffic. After given warnings by police, the group cleared the road and then marched to the foot of the Atlantic City Expressway where they blocked the eastbound lanes. Officers moved in and arrested seven men; the remaining members of the group began to disperse and clear the roadway.

In a statement, Atlantic City Chief of Police Henry M. White, Jr., said,

The Atlantic City Police Department and our law enforcement partners have been preparing for this protest due to threats made by organizers. While we respect and support those that exercise their First Amendment rights, we will not allow a major roadway to be blocked cutting off access for our community members, emergency personnel, or visitors to the City of Atlantic City. We are grateful that the Atlantic City community did not participate in this misguided attempt to shut down the city.

The following people were arrested:

ARRESTED: Levar Davis, a 21-year-old man from Atlantic City.
CHARGES: Obstructing a highway and refusal to obey a reasonable official request.

ARRESTED: Alex Kettles, a 52-year-old man from Burlington, NJ.
CHARGES: Obstructing a highway and refusal to obey a reasonable official request.

ARRESTED: Nolan Mitchell, a 45-year-old man from Atlantic City.
CHARGES: Obstructing a highway and refusal to obey a reasonable official request.

ARRESTED: Troy Ogelsby Sr., a 57-year-old man from Cherry Hill, NJ.
CHARGES: Obstructing a highway, refusal to obey a reasonable official request, and resisting arrest.

ARRESTED: Michael Scott Jr., a 45-year-old man from Atlantic City.
CHARGES: Obstructing a highway and refusal to obey a reasonable official request.

ARRESTED: Taiwa Ukawabutu, a 55-year-old man from Pleasantville, NJ.
CHARGES: Obstructing a highway, refusal to obey a reasonable official request, and resisting arrest.

ARRESTED: Steven Young, a 60-year-old man from Atlantic City.
CHARGES: Obstructing a highway, refusal to obey a reasonable official request, and resisting arrest.

All seven men were released on a summons with a future court date.

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