HOUSTON — Three people were arrested Friday during a pro-Palestinian protest in the Galleria area, according to police.
Houston police identified the men arrested as Sammy Omar Homsi, 26, Obinna Obinna Dennar, 27, and Mohammed Hisam Nabulsi, 31. They all were handed a misdemeanor charge of interference with duties of a public servant.
According to police, protesters gathered near The Galleria Friday afternoon and began marching. Police said they instructed the protesters to stay on the sidewalk and not march in the streets, but when they made their way to McCue Road near West Alabama, Homsi started walking in the busy roadway.
Police said Homsi ignored commands to get back on the sidewalk and even encouraged other protesters to join him in the streets.
Police attempted to arrest Homsi and as they were doing so, Dennar and Nabulsi got in the officers' way and started pulling Homsi their way, HPD said. That led to Homsi, Dennar and Nabulsi in handcuffs.
As Homsi, Dennar and Nabulsi were taken to the Harris County Joint Processing Center in downtown Houston, a group of 30 to 40 protestors followed to protest their arrests. That led to a large police presence in downtown Houston Friday night.
According to the Palestinian Youth Movement - Dallas chapter, Homsi, Dennar and Nabulsi were "suddenly and aggressively" arrested without any further explanation.
The group said community members gathered outside of the jail to demand the immediate release of their fellow protestors, but they were met with restraint from HPD.
"Community members attempting to call the center have been met with vague and aggressive responses," PYD said. "Family members and loved ones of the arrestees are saying that they will remain steadfast until all three protesters are released."
It's unknown if Homsi, Dennar and Nabulsi remained in custody as of Saturday afternoon.