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Utah protesters arrested after fighting with police officers

| August 3, 2020 12:03 AM

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah protest over the death of a man who was fatally shot by police resulted in skirmishes with officers and several people being taken into custody, authorities said.

Cottonwood Heights Police said officers took eight people into custody and impounded three vehicles during the demonstration Sunday, KSTU-TV reports.

Police said there were several fights and officers were hit and sprayed with pepper spray.

The “March for Justice” focused on the death of Zane James, who was shot and killed by a Cottonwood Heights Police officer in 2018.

James fled from police on a motorcycle after allegedly committing two armed robberies, police said.

He was shot by the officer who said he was reaching into his pockets and clothing as he fled. Police said they found a pellet gun in his pocket after he was shot.

Sunday’s rally began at a park in the community about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City.

Protesters then marched into a residential neighborhood where the clashes with police occurred.

The protesters returned to the park after the altercations and police said they would allow a peaceful demonstration if participants did not block streets and left the park before a 10 p.m. curfew.