Protesters stop traffic on interstate 94 between Dale Street and the Fifth Street exit during a demonstration Friday, June 16, 2017, against the verdict in the Philando Castile killing. (John Autey / Special to the Pioneer Press)

Several thousand people demonstrated Friday night at the State Capitol in St. Paul to denounce the verdict. (John Autey / Special to the Pioneer Press)

Protesters begin to march from the Minnesota Capitol to University Avenue. (Mara Gottfried / Pioneer Press)

A women takes a video as she marches west along University Avenue. (John Autey / Special to the Pioneer Press)

Several thousand people march north on Dale Street toward interstate 94. (John Autey / Special to the Pioneer Press)



Protesters prevent a car from entering Interstate 94 at Dale Street in St. Paul. (Frederick Melo / Pioneer Press)

Protesters stop traffic Friday, June 16, 2017, on Interstate 94 between Dale Street and the Fifth Street exit in response to the acquittal of Officer Jeronimo Yanez in the fatal shooting last summer of Philando Castile. (John Autey / Special to the Pioneer Press)

Protesters and Minnesota State Patrol troopers face off late Friday on Interstate 94 in St. Paul. (Frederick Melo / Pioneer Press)

Protesters took to the streets Friday evening after a Ramsey County jury acquitted St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez in the July 2016 shooting death of Philando Castile.

St. Paul police estimated 2,000 people took part in the march. About 1,500 of them marched onto Interstate 94 at Dale Street at about 10:30 p.m. Officials closed the freeway between Lexington Parkway and Marion Street as drivers encountered throngs of protesters.

By 11 p.m., St. Paul police estimated that about 500 protesters remained on I-94 between Western Avenue and Dale Street. Officials issued a dispersal order about 11:30 p.m. and warned that anyone who failed to comply would be arrested. The crowd slowly dispersed as authorities issued two more warnings.

The State Patrol reported that at about 12:30 a.m. troopers were arresting protesters who failed to leave the interstate. In all, 18 were taken into custody, including several journalists. The 18 will be taken to the Ramsey County jail to be booked.

RELATED: Relief and outrage as a St. Anthony police officer is acquitted in Philando Castile’s shooting death

Interstate 94 was reopened about three hours after protesters stormed onto the highway.

At 1:30 a.m. Saturday, a few dozen protesters had gathered in front of the Governor’s Residence, the site of a nearly three-week encampment after Castile’s death last summer.

Metro Transit held Green Line trains in St. Paul as the protesters occupied University Avenue west of the Minnesota Capitol toward Victoria Street. Light-rail service resumed shortly before 10 p.m.

More protests were planned for the weekend. On Saturday evening, Minneapolis mayoral candidate and former NAACP leader Nekima Levy-Pounds organized a Solidarity March Against Police Violence and White Silence in Loring Park in Minneapolis. On Sunday, the Father’s Day for Philando protest will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. in front of the St. Anthony Police Department.

40 people are gathered outside Governor's Mansion on Summit Ave. Playing banjo, harmonica, talking. #PhilandoCastile pic.twitter.com/Bu9tOCnI9v — Mara Gottfried (@MaraGottfried) June 17, 2017

Better view of gathering outside Governor's Mansion in St. Paul early Saturday after #YanezTrial acquittal. pic.twitter.com/mFujfnt3js — Mara Gottfried (@MaraGottfried) June 17, 2017

Chalked on the sidewalk outside the governor's official residence. #PhilandoCastile pic.twitter.com/OywJ4BFANN — Mara Gottfried (@MaraGottfried) June 17, 2017

Police moving down other side of I-94 exit ramp to Kellogg. Troopers on other side of ramp. https://t.co/dBLGAdHsoL — Mara Gottfried (@MaraGottfried) June 17, 2017