Family of man killed by police denounces violence

She shared: “This week we watched Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, two innocent black men, get senselessly murdered by police officers”.

Sterling’s shooting has rekindled concern about police relations with the African-American community, including the recent shootings of black men in several states.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office released a list of 30 people arrested in the demonstrations – most for obstructing a highway, but three for inciting to riot.

He told the crowd of more than 100 people that voting in November “as though our lives depend upon it” would be the best way to reform policing practices.

Edwards spoke at a news conference Friday about the continued fallout after 37-year-old Alton Sterling was killed during a struggle with two police officers outside a convenience store.

Photos of Alton Sterling are interspersed with flowers and mementos at a makeshift memorial in front of the Triple S Food Mart in Baton Rouge, La., Thursday, July 7, 2016. Police say he was armed and an eyewitness said he had a gun in his pocket.

Pointing to the crowds shouting along a fence surrounding the police department she said: “To me, this is just a snapshot of north Baton Rouge and how frustrated they are”.

McMillon described Sterling as a good father to their son Cameron, calling them the “Doublemint twins” because they liked to eat snacks together.

Sterling was killed in Baton Rouge, La. on July 5 at point-blank range, after being tackled by police and pinned to the ground.

“We’re still grieving for the loss of Alton, and this happens less than 24 hours later”, said Artiyana McGee, a 20-year-old student who stood among the protesters Thursday night with her mother, Dawn.

Protests in Baton Rouge have been largely peaceful although 31 people were arrested Friday night and early Saturday during a protest outside Baton Rouge police headquarters, Louisiana State Police said. She wouldn’t answer questions, however, about whether she believed police would have responded the same way if Alton Sterling had been white.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr. said his department has strived to avoid a “military-style response” to the protests. “Our hearts break for the families of the officers who were lost as they protected protesters and residents alike during a rally”.

An Army veteran fatally shot five police officers and wounded seven other officers during Thursday night’s downtown protest over the deaths of Sterling and Castile.

In the span of four days, the United States has had to come to terms with the deaths of two black men at the hands of police – the first caught on video and the aftermath of the second livestreamed on Facebook – as well as the deadliest day for US law enforcement since 9/11. His death was recorded on video and sparked immediate protests in the Louisiana capital.

Sterling was killed during an altercation outside the store where he was selling CDs.