Officers declare San Luis Obispo protest unlawful assembly due to public safety risks

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Officers could be seen breaking up crowds of protesters at Santa Rosa and Walnut streets in San Luis Obispo.

The large group protest began around 2 p.m. Monday afternoon at Santa Rosa and Walnut and lasted about six hours.

NewsChannel 12 is on the scene and saw officers potentially using flash grenades in an effort to disperse the protesters.

The San Luis Obispo Police Chief said on Twitter that the protest had been declared an unlawful assembly due to public safety risks and had to be dispersed.

Some members of the rally were also arrested at the scene.

Officers advise residents to avoid the area around Santa Rosa Street and Mill Street.

Police announced they will remain in full deployment on duty throughout the night and into tomorrow to ensure the community remains safe.

While no specific reasons for the dispersal of the protest have been released, SLO Police Chief Deanna Cantrell did post a statement on Facebook around 10 p.m. explaining that "vandalism, unsafe behavior, damaging property, theft, arson, and other acts of violence to people or property" will not be tolerated.

She went on to say, "Our community is just starting to reopen from being closed from COVID-19 for over two months and our local businesses desperately need our support. We ask you to please use this time to express your anger and frustration through peaceful means."