Highway Patrol calls afternoon news conference to address protests

The Missouri State Highway Patrol held a 4:30 p.m. news conference at the Cole Co. Sheriff’s Dept. to address protests Friday at the state Capitol.

Captain Doug Shoemaker with the Jefferson City Police Department said, “They have been adequately warned and have been told that the next time they make some sort of violation or break the law, they will be placed in custody and taken the to Cole County Jail.”

About 50 protesters blocked traffic on Madison Street by laying on the road for a few minutes Friday afternoon.

The Cole County Courthouse was locked down briefly Friday, but people were allowed in and out of the building at that time.

We’ll have a live report from downtown Jefferson City on ABC 17 News at 5 with comments from authorities.