After more than six hours of protesting, law enforcement officers used tear gas to break up a crowd of more than 200 near the intersection of Santa Rosa and Walnut.
A firecracker-like device was also used to disperse the crowd.
Most protestors have left the area as officers continue to advance up Santa Rosa.
San Luis Obispo Police Chief Deanna Cantrell said the protests were declared an “unlawful assembly” after it was determined there were public safety risks.
“The protest was mostly peaceful and lasted for 6 hrs. Protesters were asked to disperse with some taken into custody,” Cantrell wrote in a Tweet.
The protest in San Luis Obispo was declared an unlawful assembly after it was determined that there were public safety risks. The protest was mostly peaceful and lasted for 6 hrs. Protesters were asked to disperse with some taken into custody. Avoid Santa Rosa/Mill and adjacent.
— San Luis Obispo Police Department (@SLOCityPolice) June 2, 2020
The protest started with four hours of marching to honor George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer last week.
Demonstrators keeled at the intersection of Morro Street and Marsh Street for an 8 minute 46 second moment of science — the length of time George Floyd was held under a Minnesota police officer’s knee.
“It was the longest eight minutes of my life,” Emily Armstrong said. “I want them to stop killing [people of color]. Immediately,”
A few hours before spraying tear gas into the crowd, more than 20 law enforcement officers kneeled in solidarity with George Floyd as many protestors applauded.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. For complete coverage, read live updates.