Police looking into arrests of dancing protesters at Jefferson Memorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. - By The Associated Press

The U.S. Park Police is investigating whether its officers were too aggressive in arresting five demonstrators who were dancing in protest over the weekend at the Jefferson Memorial.

Videos that have surfaced online show the officers forcefully arresting the protesters on Saturday afternoon. One officer is seen in the videos with his hands around a protester’s throat.

The protesters were challenging a recent federal appeals court decision that upheld a ban on dancing inside the memorial.

Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser said Monday that concerns have been raised about the actions of some of the officers, and the chief has directed the Office of Professional Responsibility to conduct an investigation. Schlosser says the protesters were arrested for demonstrating without a permit.