A protest, which included people standing up, and kneeling down, against police brutality Monday in Asbury Park lasted for several hours and was, for the most part, peaceful.

 

Around 10 p.m., police put on riot gear to clear the streets of the protesters who were there after curfew.

A nearby resident at the corner of Monroe and Main streets says he saw police pushing the protesters west, as some were throwing rocks and bricks at police.

According to NJ.com, one police officer was hurt and several protesters were arrested. Gustavo Martinez, who's a journalist at the Asbury Park Press, was arrested as well.

In a tweet, Martinez says, “I was arrested during the protest against police brutality in Asbury Park earlier tonight. I was just released from the Belmar PD headquarters with a summons for failing to obey an order to disperse.”

The protest started at 5 p.m. and lasted roughly three hours. Demonstrators showed up outside the Asbury Park post office, spilling into the parking lot in front of the police station and city hall. Their message was of unity -- a call to end racial injustice and police brutality.

"I feel important, they know what’s going on and they are part of a positive change, and that they stand up for the rights of people who don't have a loud of a voice as we do," says Jamie Sanders, of Manasquan.

NJ.com reports the officer hurt was taken to the hospital with a head injury.