Cornel West, the former Princeton University professor turned civil rights activist, was arrested this week while taking part in a protest in Ferguson, Missouri, The Associated Press reported.
West has been in the St. Louis area for a weekend of protests, speeches, and workshops designed to call attention to anger over police treatment of minorities.
West now teaches at New York's Union Theological Seminary. He was arrested shortly before 1 p.m. Monday on a charge of disturbing the peace, along with 13 others.
County police said the protesters said they wanted to be arrested. Police said arrests were made after protesters began bumping officers' shields and forced their way through the law enforcement skirmish line.
Ferguson is roiled by the Aug. 9 fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed, black 18-year-old, by a white officer.