Six people were arrested on disorderly conduct charges in Portland Friday night, after a protest outside two downtown hotels became disruptive.
Portland police responded to the Residence Inn at 145 Fore St. and AC Hotel at 168 Fore St. at 9 p.m. for reports of disturbances.
What began as a small, peaceful crowd grew to about 40 people by 10:20 p.m., with protesters blowing whistles, banging drums and creating noise that disturbed hotel guests, according to Brad Nadeau, spokesperson for the Portland Police Department.
Police warned the group to disperse or face disorderly conduct charges. Just before 11 p.m., six protesters who refused to comply were arrested and taken to Cumberland County Jail, Nadeau said.
Those arrested were Andrew Mantenieks, 25, of East Orland; Samuel Pecor, 30, of Biddeford; Amelia Fleming, 26, of Nobleboro; Meghan Morrison, 28, of Portland; Savanah Roberge, 19, of Somersworth, New Hampshire; and John Clark, 30, of Windham.
South Portland police assisted with the response.
Earlier Friday night, Portland police facilitated a separate protest that began at Monument Square, proceeded to Longfellow Square and returned to Monument Square, ending around 7 p.m. without incident.
A previous protest at the Residence Inn on Wednesday resulted in one criminal summons.