Congressional candidate arrested at police run in Royal Oak

A congressional candidate was arrested Saturday at a race in Royal Oak after, police said, he refused to stay out of the roadway.

Brian Ellison, who is running as a Libertarian for the U.S. House in Michigan's 8th District, was arrested at the Royal Oak Police Department's Run with the Police event while taking part in a protest over two recent fatal shootings by Royal Oak police.

Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue said in an interview Sunday that Ellison was told to stay out of the roadway, but refused. O'Donohue said Ellison was charged with two misdemeanors accusing him of interfering with a government operation and resisting arrest. He was released on bond and will be arraigned at a later date.

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Ellison could not be immediately reached for comment Sunday. A video of the incident was posted on a Facebook page for Brian Ellison. In the video, Ellison can be heard saying he was "getting ready to run with the chief. They tried telling me I can't be on the course because I'm not registered, but obviously this course is a street."

Ellison can be seen in the video being arrested after going into the street. As they handcuffed him, he repeatedly says: "Get your hands off me."

O'Donohue said Ellison was told beforehand not to interfere with the race.

"It was his intent to disrupt the event," O'Donohue said.

Ellison gained media attention earlier this year after proposing a campaign to arm homeless people with guns. The 8th District seat, held by Republican Mike Bishop of Rochester, covers northern Oakland County.