Protesters arrested during traffic stop in Vacaville expected to be released
(Still frame via Twitter.com; Graphic by Solano NewsNet)
Four protesters who were arrested near a traffic stop in Vacaville on Sunday are expected to be cited and released from custody, according to police dispatches reviewed by Solano NewsNet.
The four individuals were detained by police following a park cleanup and meal distribution event at Andrew’s Park organized by Voices of VV, a grassroots group that typically holds anti-police rallies at the park on Sunday afternoons.
Due to inclement weather, the group announced it would not hold a rally on Sunday and instead carry through with an event to assist homeless individuals at the park and nearby.
While a dozen people took part in the event at the park, undercover police officers carried out a surveillance operation nearby, tracking several vehicles used by the event organizers and participants.
As the event participants were leaving, police pulled over several vehicles based on various traffic infringements, including objects hanging from rear-view mirrors, expired registration stickers and illegally-tinted windows.
One traffic stop caught the attention of several participants, who soon rallied around the vehicle where officers were gathering the details of a driver and passengers involved. A brief, impromptu rally took place, resulting in a Vacaville police commander dispatching the agency’s mobile field force unit.
Several dispersal orders were given to the crowd. After about 20 minutes, police began making arrests. Four people were detained and their cellphones were confiscated by officers, according to dispatches reviewed by Solano NewsNet.
After several hours in detention, a police official said Knox and the other three individuals would be cited and released by early Monday morning.
Among those arrested on Sunday was Dalauna Knox, a Vacaville resident and the organizer of Voices of VV. Her arrest was confirmed through jail booking logs reviewed by Solano NewsNet late Sunday evening. Knox was charged with remaining at the scene of an unlawful assembly or riot, a misdemeanor offense, according to her booking information.
Knox was one of three protesters arrested and charged for an alleged robbery that occurred during an anti-police rally last September near Vacaville’s City Hall.
(Editors note: This story corrects a paragraph that erroneously said Knox was not charged in connection with her arrest in September 2020.)
We’re proud to produce independent news for Solano County. This newsletter is an all-volunteer effort. If you would like to show your appreciation, consider making a donation in any amount or converting your email subscription into a paid one.
Discuss this newsletter and other stories from across Solano County on our Facebook group here and follow our Twitter account here.