Night Of Tension Leads To 1 Arrest In Brockton

BROCKTON, MA — After hours of tension between protesters and police, and damaged local businesses, the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office announced one arrest following Tuesday night's protest that went from peaceful to confrontational in Brockton.

Plymouth County DA Timothy Cruz announced that Schmidreck Georges, 23, of Brockton, was charged with throwing rocks at police officers, failure to disperse from a riot and disturbing the peace. Cruz said several rocks, bottles and fireworks were aimed at officers during the hourslong standoff.

Cruz also used the announcement to condemn the actions of the Minneapolis police in the killing of George Floyd, while qualifying that protests of what he deemed that "murder" had to be done without violence toward police or damage to property.

"If we are to honor his memory it must be done with open dialogue, listening and learning from one another, not be creating mayhem, setting fires and hurling rocks and bricks," Cruz said. "While we recognize the right of citizens to voice their opinions, when that voice is backed up with violent actions and our laws are broken, as District Attorney, we will prosecute."

Georges was released on $40 bail with arraignment scheduled for June 11.