Activist's Attorney Works To Get Him Back To Baltimore After Baton Rouge Arrest

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- An attorney for local Baltimore activist DeRay McKesson is meeting with a judge to modify his bond, allowing him to return to Baltimore. Recently hired by city schools as the new Chief Human Capital Officer, McKesson was arrested early Sunday morning during a protest in Baton Rouge.

Marcus Washington has more.

McKesson is widely known for his work with Black Lives Matter here in Baltimore and also across the county, also for running in the Democratic primary for Baltimore mayor. This past weekend, he was arrested and released from jail.

Streaming live on Periscope, local Baltimore activist DeRay McKesson was arrested in Baton Rouge during a protest led by members of Black Lives Matter. This is where 37-year-old Alton Sterling was killed by police nearly a week before, creating national attention. McKesson was released from the East Baton Rouge prison in less than 24 hours.

Monday morning, he commented on what happened.

"Many people were arrested here in Baton Rouge, both that night I was arrested and last night. It's important that the DA just recuse themselves here in Baton Rouge. I am hopeful that the DNJ will come here and investigate the police department as they continue to unlawfully arrest citizens," McKesson said.

McKesson was one of nearly 200 people arrested in Baton Rouge over the weekend, a record for the city.

"I was not there when the arrest was made but from what my client has indicated to me, it was not a lawful arrest and from what I'm understanding, there have been a number of arrests of protesters that were also not lawful," said McKesson's attorney, Veronica Jones.

"I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with peaceful demonstrations but I am not going to sit here and beat up on the Black Lives Matter young people because all they want is what our Constitution has guaranteed them. They simply want the respect of police," said Congressman Elijah Cummings.

Congressman Cummings commented on the protests across the county and here in Baltimore since the death of two black men at the hands of police and the ambush and murder of five police officers in Dallas.

"We have to really come face to face, both police and citizens, and say, `We need each other.' For a policeman to do his job, he needs the cooperation of the public but you know what, the public needs the police to protect them and serve," Cummings said.

McKesson was charged with simple obstruction of a highway of commerce, which is a misdemeanor.