Police Arrest 9 Protesters Blocking Road in Hartford at Immigration Rally

Nine protesters were arrested at an immigration rally in Hartford for blocking Main Street, police said.

Seven men and two women held a sign spanning across Main Street on Monday, blocking traffic for approximately 45 minutes, Hartford Police said. 

The protesters face disorderly conduct charges and expected to be released from police custody on a promise to appear in court, Hartford Police Deputy Chief Brian Foley said. 

"We knew the protest would be here, we didn't know they'd do arranged arrests," Foley said. "We warned them to move, in both English and Spanish."

The Connecticut Immigrant Right Alliance gathered in front of Hartford's Federal Immigration Building in response to Supreme Court decision on DAPA, DACA and other immigration programs that was ruled last Thursday

The ruling prevents putting Barack Obama's 2014 immigration policy -- that will shield more than 4 million people from deportation -- from going into effect during the rest of the president's term.

Foley said protesters blocking the road put the Hartford Hospital, just down the street, at risk. Hospitals are always notified about protests in order to take alternate routes, he added.

AJ Walker contributed to this report. 

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