WAFB employee among journalists arrested at Baton Rouge protest
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Three journalists were among more than 100 people arrested Saturday at the scene of Baton Rouge protests related to the police shooting of Alton Sterling.
WAFB Assistant News Director Chris Slaughter was among the journalists arrested. Slaughter, who was working as a field producer at the scene of protests outside of Baton Rouge police headquarters, was shooting a Facebook Live segment at the time of his arrest around 10:30 p.m. Saturday. He was wearing a WAFB shirt and media credentials.
A recording of the segment shows Slaughter was videoing police officers standing across from protestors along Airline Highway. Slaughter reported to station management that he put one foot onto the highway to get a better angle, while his other foot remained on the curb. At that time, he says, several police officers ran across the highway and arrested him.
Throughout the event, police had repeatedly warned people to stay off the highway.
Slaughter was booked into parish prison on a charge of obstruction of a highway. He was released at 4:30 p.m. Sunday after his bond was posted.
WAFB News Director Robb Hays said Slaughter was sent to the scene to assist reporter Kiran Chawla and photographer Rick Portier as they covered the protests.
"Chris Slaughter is a dedicated journalist who has worked tirelessly to report on this historic event," said Hays.
Breitbart News reporter Lee Stranahan and WWNO reporter Ryan Kailath were also arrested Saturday and charged with obstruction of a highway.
Copyright 2016 WAFB. All rights reserved.
