LANSING, Mich. — The City of Lansing said 13 people were arrested following the past weekend's protest which turned violent.
The city said the events led to a loss in thousands of dollars of damage to private and public property.
In a news release, the city said what began as a peaceful protest, turned violent when "a group of rioters attempted to assault a female in vehicle on the 100 block of South Washington Avenue."
The city said Michigan State Police responded to protect the female and were surrounded by rioters that began throwing bottles and rocks at them.
Lansing Police officers responded to the scene, evacuating MSP officers and the female, the city said.
The city said people refused to leave the area and overturned the female's car, smashed windows and set fire to it. Another vehicle was also overturned and the windows of several buildings were smashed in addition to looting, assaulting police officers with rocks and bottles and staring several dumpster fires, the city said.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the protest turned violent, police "dispersed chemical agents in attempts to dissuade ongoing, intensifying and dangerous criminal activity, to protect public and private property from felonious assaults, looting, arson, and most importantly, to protect the lives of innocent citizens," the city said.
Several windows were broken at the Lansing Police Department Sunday night and a city-wide curfew was put into effect beginning at 9 p.m. and lasting until 5 a.m. Monday morning.
The city said the 13 individuals were arrested on various charges including arson, damage to property, vagrancy and resisting arrest.
The city said LPD officers are continuing to check out the damage and are working with business owners. The city said officers will be present downtown along with MSP and the National Guard Monday.
LPD is asking anyone with information regarding any crimes that took place during Sunday night's events to call the department at 517-483-4600.
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