6 arrested amid protests in Oakdale

Six people were arrested Wednesday night after protests in Oakdale.

According to Oakdale Police, officers responded to the 7500 block 17th Street N. to keep peace during active protests at about 3:30 p.m.

At 11:10 p.m., officers gave a dispersal order for unlawful assembly. Police said multiple warnings were given, and while many people left the area, a large crowd didn’t comply.

Police said mobile field force teams were organized to disperse the crowd and chemical irritants were deployed. Officers then arrested five people for unlawful assembly and released them at the scene pending citations. One person, Erik Lamont Skyes, was arrested for obstruction of legal process and unlawful assembly and was transported to Washington County Jail.

The other five people arrested were identified as Jaysin Charles Hodges, Monique Cassndra Cullars Doty, Kathryn Grace Newhouse, Chrystal Leigh Immonen, and Chloe Jo Sherrill.

No injuries were reported.

Police said they expect protests to continue in the area, and while many have been peaceful, law enforcement will be present and traffic disruptions are likely. Police are requesting no unnecessary motor vehicle traffic in the area of Helmo Avenue and 17th Street.

The Oakdale protest comes amid large scale protests in Minneapolis and St. Paul over the death of George Floyd.