7 people arrested on suspicion of not dispersing from SLO protest
Seven people were booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of not dispersing from a protest in downtown San Luis Obispo on Monday, jail logs show.
According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office website, three men and four women were booked into the jail between just before 9 p.m. and about 10:40 p.m.
Each of those people were booked on suspicion of violating Penal Code 409, a misdemeanor, which the state Legislature website defines as “remaining present at the place of any riot, rout, or unlawful assembly, after the same has been lawfully warned to disperse, except public officers and persons assisting them in attempting to disperse the same.”
San Luis Obispo County Assistant district attorney Eric Dobroth said Tuesday that the misdemeanor offenses carry a maximum of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
None of those seven people booked were listed as in custody as of noon Tuesday, and no charges had been filed in San Luis Obispo Superior Court.
Hundreds of people gathered Monday in downtown San Luis Obispo to protest the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and systematic law enforcement oppression of African-Americans..
Monday’s protest and march was peaceful until about 8 p.m., when, following a two-hour standoff at the corner of Santa Rosa and Walnut streets, police in riot gear sent demonstrators running by firing rounds of tear gas into the crowd.
Monday’s protest followed a peaceful rally and march organized by R.A.C.E. Matters SLO County on Sunday in San Luis Obispo.
