Baltimore City Hall protesters post videos to Twitter before arrests

At least 12 people were arrested at Baltimore City Hall overnight as activists protesting the interim police commissioner's permanent appointment staged a sit-in, refusing to leave until their demands for better policing were met.

According to the Baltimore Sun, at least 30 people interrupted a city council meeting on the permanent appointment of interim Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis on Wednesday.

"All night, all day, we will fight for Freddie Gray!" the activists chanted from a balcony in the building. "No justice, no peace! If we don't get it, shut it down! Stop the vote! Stop the vote!"

"I will be more than happy to meet with your entire group," Davis told the protesters, who continued to chant.

The protesters had sought a sit-down meeting with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, saying they were not given a chance to voice their input on Davis' elevation to commissioner. Other demands included a pledge by city officials that police would not use armored vehicles and riot gear, as they did during the violent demonstrations that erupted on the streets of Baltimore in the wake of Gray's death earlier this year.

Davis' appointment was approved by the committee amid the protests, though a full vote before the city council is needed before he is confirmed.

As officers blocked the entrance to city hall, the protesters inside took to social media, posting photos and videos from the sit-in on Twitter.

The sit-in stretched into the wee hours Thursday.

At 3 a.m., at least 25 police officers converged at the building's front entrance, according to the Associated Press. At least a dozen protesters were seen being escorted from the building at 4:45 a.m.

“Hours of communication and warnings, a small number of protesters inside of City Hall decided to leave the building,” Baltimore Police said in a statement. "The remaining protesters refused to leave the building. As a direct result of their failure to comply, the remaining protesters have been arrested and charged with trespassing. There are no reported injuries at this time to any protesters or officers."

The names of those arrested were not released. According to the AP, some of those involved in the protest were members of the Baltimore Uprising coalition, "which includes both high school and community activists," and at least two of the arrestees were juveniles.

By 9 a.m., a handful of protesters had already gathered once again outside of city hall.