Hundreds of Black Lives Matter protesters marched to a Wegmans grocery store in Rochester, New York, trapping customers inside on the anniversary of Daniel Prude’s arrest.
“We have a long walk today. We’re shutting s— down,” protesters shouted as they marched to the popular Northeast grocery store.
About 200 protesters marched to the store, prompting it to lock down with an estimated 100 customers still inside the building.
“Hundreds of people trapped in the East Avenue #ROC Wegmans by this mob,” Rochester journalist and radio host Bob Lonsberry said. “The Rochester Police Department is just watching and letting it happen. I guess fire codes and trespassing aren’t things in Rochester anymore. What an embarrassing day for the city and the PD.”
“We’re more than just taxpayers in their capitalist system; we’re human beings, and we demand to be treated as such,” one protester, Craig Carson, said.
“Allowing the mob to shut down the East Ave [Wegmans], trapping at least a hundred people, is an immoral failing by the mayor at @CityRochesterNY and the @RochesterNYPD,” Lonsberry commented. “To kiss the a– of the mob, the rights of others are trodden, and the city dies even more.”
“Our East Avenue store in Rochester, New York, is currently closed due to protest activity taking place outside of the store. At this time, no customers remain in the store, and the doors will remain closed. Our No. 1 priority is the safety of our employees and customers,” Wegmans Public Relations Strategy Director Deana Percassi told the Washington Examiner.
The scene comes on the one-year anniversary of black man Daniel Prude being restrained by Rochester police after suffering a mental health episode reportedly brought on by the drug PCP.
He had told police at one point, “Give me your gun. I need it.” He stopped breathing while he was held down by officers, placed on life support, and later died.
