PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A prosecutor says a plea deal with 17 participants in a Black Lives Matter protest that blocked traffic in Portland is now off the table.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Ackerman made the announcement after a meeting between protesters and police was canceled Wednesday.
She said protesters violated conditions of a restorative justice meeting with Police Chief Mike Sauschuck by demanding to gather as a single group. A lawyer for the protesters blamed police and prosecutors, not protesters, for breaking the rules for the meeting.
The group organized the protest in July after two black men were killed by police in Louisiana and Minnesota. The 17 protesters were charged with obstructing a public way.
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