Demonstrators gather outside AT&T Stadium to protest recent police shootings

ARLINGTON, Texas - A large group protested outside AT&T Stadium Sunday afternoon because of the recent deadly police shooting in North Texas. 

The protests focused on the deaths of Botham Jean and O’Shae Terry.

The demonstration started at Friendship West Baptist Church, where the protesters were briefed on what they would be doing. Media were not a part of that conversation.

They then boarded buses and traveled to AT&T Stadium, selecting the location because Jerry Jones has forbidden Dallas Cowboys players from kneeling during the National Anthem to protest police brutality. They also pushed two caskets with them, symbolizing the two men killed.

“There’s four demands out of this march. There’s four demands from this community. That Officer Amber Guyger be fired. That should’ve already happened. That Officer Amber Guyger be charged with murder, not manslaughter. That the Dallas Police Department identify the officers responsible for leaking information to the media, and that they be disciplined, and that the media who put out information about what was found in Botham’s home, on the day of his funeral, formally apologize to that family,” said Jean family attorney Lee Merritt.

Some Cowboys fans were reverent, removing Cowboy hats as the symbolic processional passed.
Protesters like Senior Friendship West Baptist Church pastor Frederick Haynes also had a message for Jerry Jones.

“Mr. Jones, use your platform. Since you told your players they cannot protest, use your platform now to speak out against this vile and vicious murder that took place," he said.

Then they took a knee.

Arlington police assisted protesters by moving along with them and creating a barrier between fans and protesters as they marched.

Police said the original protest was peaceful but there were nine protesters, unassociated with Lee Merritt's protest, who came to the stadium and were arrested for obstructing a highway and other passageways.

Another protest is planned for Monday night at Dallas City Hall.