UPDATE: 65 Arrested Trying To Block JFX Near Artscape

Protesters on the ramp of the JFX Credit: Vanessa Herring

Protesters are detained on the ramp from Charles Street to the Northbound JFX Credit: Vanessa Herring

Baltimore City Police arrested 65 people Saturday night who were attempting to block the Jones Falls Expressway near Charles Street.

Police say around 6 p.m., a group of protesters moved through Mount Royal where the annual Artscape festival was taking place.

Baltimore City Police Lt. Jarron Jackson said in spite of numerous warnings, some members of the group apparently ran down the Charles Street ramp to the northbound JFX.

The Charles Street on ramp was closed to traffic, however, the highway was not.

Jackson says that once the group moved onto the interstate, they locked arms and blocked the northbound lanes for a short period of time. Officers then arrived and made the arrests.

Jackson says 55 adults and 10 juveniles were arrested. Those with proper identification were taken to Central Booking, issued citations and released. They face charges of failing to obey a police officer, and illegally walking on a highway.

WBAL-TV's Vanessa Herring reports the protesters were part of a group known as Afromation.

The group was part of the Black Lives Matter movement protesting police misconduct, and the killings in Minnesota and Louisiana of unarmed black men by police officers.

Police say no other arrests were made in any other areas.