The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department reported the arrest of eight individuals on Saturday during a 10-hour “protest and standoff” originating from an Eritrean “cultural event.”

Tensions flared between rival groups of Eritreans, leading to clashes, and law enforcement confirmed that individuals armed with sticks, rocks, and other objects attacked officers attempting to disperse the unruly crowds.

In addition to the confrontations, a tractor was set ablaze in North Carolina’s largest city, and police confiscated two firearms during the course of several hours.

Seeking further details, Fox News Digital reached out to the department on Sunday, inquiring about the identities and additional information concerning the arrested individuals.

The incident unfolded shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Saturday when the CMPD’s Providence Division responded to reports of an “unlawful protest happening in the parking lot of a business hosting an Eritrean cultural event” on Monroe Road.

“Protesters were on private property and were spilling out into the road, which prompted officers to close Monroe Road. Dispersal orders were repeatedly given to protesters throughout the duration of the protest, however they refused to disperse,” police said in a press release.

“Several protesters threw objects and pushed back against the officers. Officers then deployed pepper spray,” the department confirmed. “Multiple protesters and officers were treated on scene for injuries related to the pepper spray.,” Fox News reported.

Amidst the events, a female protester reportedly assaulted an officer, leading to the seizure of a firearm from her possession.

She is now facing charges of inciting to riot, failure to disperse, injury to personal property, and assault on a government official.

The charges filed against all eight suspects encompass impeding traffic and failure to disperse.

Written by B.C. Begley