St. Paul police order protesters off Summit Avenue

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - St. Paul police moved in on protesters outside the Governor’s Residence on Summit Avenue overnight, telling them they could no longer block traffic. Protesters have been camping out in front of the Governor’s Residence since July 7, following the fatal shooting of Philando Castile by police in Falcon Heights, Minn.

At 2 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, officers ordered protesters to gather their possessions and temporarily move away from the area while crews cleaned up debris.

“Officers informed protesters that the department respects their right to exercise their First Amendment rights, and people who wish to continue demonstrating are still free to do so in public, as long as they do not block the street,” St. Paul police said in a statement. “The St. Paul Police Department will continue to work to ensure the safety of demonstrators as well as those who use Summit Avenue on a daily basis to get to work and make their way through the neighborhood.”

Just after 4 a.m. Tuesday, Summit Avenue was once again closed between Chatsworth and Oxford as protesters returned to the street.

Timeline of Philando Castile shooting

JULY 6, 9 PM - Officer-involved shooting in Falcon Heights, Facebook video shows aftermath

TRANSCRIPT - What Diamond Reynolds and Officer Jeronimo Yanez said in Facebook video

JULY 7, 5:30 PM - Thousands gather outside St. Paul school to pay respect to Philando Castile

JULY 7 - Students remember Castile as 'Mr. Phil'

JULY 7, 10 AM - Governor: 'Justice will be served in Minnesota'

IN-DEPTH - Minnesota's permit to carry law and how it applies to Philando Castile

JULY 7, 9:50 PM - Police officers identified in fatal shooting of Philando Castile

JULY 8, 10:30 AM - Prosecutor considering grand jury in Philando Castile shooting

JULY 9, 8 PM - Protest shuts down Interstate 94 in St. Paul