Protest ends violently in Burlington - FOX44 - Burlington / Plattsburgh News, Weather & Sports

Protest ends violently in Burlington

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BURLINGTON, Vt. -

Burlington Police in riot gear and protesters struggled against each other along College Street as a bus holding attendees of the Conference of New England Governors and Canadian Premiers tried to pass by. Protester Jonathan Levitt ended having pepper balls fired at him by Burlington Police.

"While we were in public space non violently protesting we were shot with pepper balls and beaten with police officers fists," Levitt said.

"You can see the welts rising on my leg there."

Police say protesters were blocking a bus holding conference attendees from leaving a parking lot and when police tried to move them some protesters started shoving back. one police officer fell to the ground and police say when protesters moved toward him several officer fired pepper and sting balls at the protesters. Protester Jonathan Levitt was hit by one the rounds.

The confrontation was after protesters demonstrated outside of the Hilton Hotel where the conference will begin Monday. Protesters are concerned that tar sands could be pumped through New England and Canada. They acted out an oil spill to get their point across.

"Explain to them why we feel like we're being impacted by these projects and why we want a different system," Protest organizer Avery Pittman said.

Police blocked off streets for the large protest made up of at least ten different organizations like 350 Vermont and the Vermont Workers Center. Protesters say they were peaceful and that the real point of the march was to put focus on the environment.

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