Over the weekend, Black Lives Matter protestors shut down I-94 in St. Paul for about five hours to protest the death of Philando Castile, who was shot by a police officer. During the protest, 27 cops were injured after people threw molotov cocktails, fireworks, and rocks at the officers. One officer suffered a spinal fracture after a concrete block landed on his head.
We were just informed that the officer who had a concrete block dropped on his head during I-94 riot has broken vertebrae.
— St. Paul Police PIO (@sppdPIO) July 10, 2016
One hundred and two people were arrested throughout the night.
Images of fireworks being thrown at police went viral as people expressed their disbelief.
Protesters threw fireworks at officers. St. Paul PIO says officer was injured. pic.twitter.com/vXn69dwnLG
— FOX 9 (@MyFOX9) July 10, 2016
Meanwhile, Castile's family disavowed the protestors, saying that was not how they wanted Philando to be remembered.
“On behalf of myself and our entire family, we urge all people to remain peaceful in all demonstrations throughout our community and our nation. When demonstrations become violent, it disrespects my son and his memory. Philando was a man of peace and dignity. Please, I ask you to at all times remain peaceful in your expressions of concern regarding his death at the hands of the police. I promise that we will not rest until justice prevails,” said Valerie Castile, mother of Philando Castile, in a statement Sunday.