Eight protestors arrested for obstructing movement of contractors near San Marcos Preserve
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies arrested eight people and cited one during a protest against development at the San Marcos Preserve Thursday morning.
The sheriff's office said they became aware of the protest around 8 p.m. Wednesday night when contractors called to report a potential for conflict with the protestors at their construction site on the north end of Via Gaitero.
Deputies responded to monitor the situation overnight and said they spoke with protestors multiple times.
As morning came, construction equipment arrived, and a group of protestors mobilized to stop the contractors from entering private property on the north end of Via Gaitero.