BUFFALO, N.Y. — Protesters with a group called Black Love Resists in the Rust say they will be continually be occupying Niagara Square until a fellow protester, Deyanna Davis, is released from the Erie County Holding Center.
Protesters were in Niagara Square on Friday night, attempting to call attention to her story. They were still camped out on Sunday.
Monday afternoon, 2 On Your Side talked with Buffalo Police about the latest protest.
"There's a number of different people that have identified themselves as the quasi leaders of this group in Niagara Square and we've had very good conversations with them about what they can and can't do," said Buffalo Police Captain Jeff Rinaldo. "So, at this point, this is what we're working towards. A mutual understanding that it is public space. No one person has the right to claim it as their own, and we're not looking to go in there and clear the space as long as everybody's remaining peaceful and nobody's attempting to basically turn it into their house."
Tents previously put up by protesters in Niagara Square were taken down because Capt. Rinaldo says structures are not allowed to go up there.
"Davis is being held in Erie County Holding Center when she should be at home healing. Residents will occupy Niagara Square until Davis is released," Black Love Resists in the Rust said in a statement.
Davis was shot and arrested during a protest against police brutality centering around the viral police beating of Buffalo's own Quentin Suttles.
The group has put up a memorial for people who have been killed by Buffalo Police and who died at the Erie County Holding Center.
PHOTOS: Protesters put up memorial in Niagara Square
"She loves her kids. Her kids are her world. She would never do anything to jeopardize her kids. So her running over police? She's not going to do it," said Davis' sister, Javonti Chaney.
New York State Police said that Davis, 30, was driving the vehicle that allegedly struck and injured three law enforcement officers on Bailey Avenue in Buffalo.
Davis has been charged with aggravated assault upon a police officer, assault in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree.
Davis plead not guilty to the charges. The judge set her bail at $200,000, and she is scheduled to appear in court on June 24.
