71 people arrested in Louisville in a day of demonstration over the death of Breonna Taylor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — What organizers billed as a “massive demonstration" over the death of Breonna Taylor led to the arrests of more than 70 protesters on Tuesday.

The demonstration marks the end of BreonnaCon, a four-day event meant to draw attention to her case. The event was organized by New York-based social justice organization Until Freedom, which was behind the July sit-in at Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s house that resulted in 87 arrests. The group's leaders have been in Louisville for the past month to lead protests in the name of Taylor and racial justice.

At least 64 people were arrested as of 5:30 p.m. local time, charged with obstructing a roadway and disorderly conduct. Seven more people were arrested later Tuesday night, according to LMPD spokesman Dwight Mitchell, for a total of 71 Tuesday arrests.

Until Freedom co-founders Linda Sarsour and Mysonne Linen were among the protesters arrested, as well as "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Porsha Williams.

The arrests happened after at least 300 protesters gathered at South Central Park earlier in the afternoon, chanting Breonna Taylor's name. They planned to march to the Louisville Metro Police Training Academy.

"We are here to fight for justice for Breonna Taylor," Sarsour said Tuesday.

Police officers blocked a street and sidewalk along the protest route.

“It is illegal to block the road. Please get out of the road, or you will be arrested,” police announced as dozens of officers wearing helmets, face screens and holding wooden sticks, halted the progress of the march.

Police allowed protesters to pass on a sidewalk in the area.

When police announced it is illegal to block a road, protesters yelled back “it’s illegal to murder.”

People who tried to pass the line of police officers were arrested. After the arrests began, the crowd shrunk significantly in size. Sarsour was among those arrested.

The Louisville Metro Police Department designated Tuesday as an “All Work-Day," meaning all LMPD personnel will be available for duty.

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Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer previously said his hope and expectation is that the protests will be peaceful.

“Violence or property destruction is unacceptable and will be addressed immediately," Fischer said.

Protests in Louisville have continued for 89 days as local marchers demand systemic change and the prosecution of the three police officers involved in the death of Taylor, a Black woman who was unarmed when she was fatally shot in her apartment during a narcotics raid that turned up no drugs.

Cameron, who is spoke Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention, recently said his office does not plan to make an announcement regarding the case this week.

More: No announcement this week on the Breonna Taylor investigation, AG Daniel Cameron says

The Not F****** Around Coalition, a national Black militia, demonstrated in downtown Louisville on July 25 and said it would return four weeks later, which was this past Saturday. But the group has made no indication that it will be in town Tuesday. Instead, the group announced intentions to return to Louisville on Sept. 5, the day of the Kentucky Derby.

Participants in its events over the weekend were asked to sign release of liability waivers that stated, “I am aware that these activities are hazardous activities and that I could be seriously injured or even mortality.”

Sarsour has called the fact that LMPD will be using its entire police force on Tuesday a “provocation.”

“We’re really looking at this as a march, mobilizing as many people as we can,” she said. “There may be a disruption, there may be some sort of civil disobedience, but that’s up to the Louisville Metro Police Department, it’s not up to us.”

Adrian Baker, an activist and the student body president of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, was one of the 87 arrested on July 14, and he noted that Until Freedom does not have a history of violent action.

“There will be no peace until we find justice, but we will be nonviolent,” Baker said.

BreonnaCon included a press conference Monday with the families of Taylor, George Floyd, Trayvon Martin and other Black people who were killed in police shootings. Attorney Ben Crump, who represents Taylor’s family, called it “a fraternity that no parent wants to be in.”

Several speakers also addressed Jacob Blake, a 29-year old Black man who was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday night, which has further sparked protests across the country. Blake is reportedly in serious condition.

“This continues to happen,” Sarsour said Monday. “This is not a story of the past.”

Tessa Duvall contributed reporting.

Hayes Gardner, The Louisville Courier Journal, @HayesGardner.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Breonna Taylor: 71 protesters arrested in Louisville demonstration