Tensions continue to run high in Ferguson, Missouri, as police respond with a heavy show of force against protesters in the wake of an officer-involved shooting of unarmed 18-year-old teenager Michael Brown.
24 August 2014
Demonstrators in Ferguson, Missouri, gathered on Saturday night to mark two weeks since white police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, Reuters reports.
No arrests were made overnight, making it a third, relatively quiet night in a row for the turbulent St. Louis suburb.
Supporters of the police officer held a separate rally in Ferguson, saying the shooting was justified.
Hundreds of people marched through downtown Washington to protest the murder of the African-American teenager, Michael Brown, by the white police officer, Darren Wilson, in Ferguson, Missouri earlier this month.
People carried signs and chanted: “Justice for Mike Brown,”“I am Mike Brown.”
A Black-led protest is shutting down a major intersection in DC and it's awesome. #DCFerguson#Ferguson#MikeBrownpic.twitter.com/FCKlB9egAa
— sam r jewler (@LuddoftheFuture) August 24, 2014
US President Barack Obama reportedly ordered a Ferguson-inspired probe into into police use of military gear against Americans.
The probe will focus on whether the police should be receiving this kind of gear in the first place, on how it is currently being used, and whether the officers are being properly trained for it, according to senior administration and law enforcement officials quoted by the New York Times.
Thousands of people gathered on New York’s Staten Island on Saturday as they protested against police violence and called for justice in the case of an unarmed man Eric Garner killed by an officer via an illegal chokehold.
In addition to Garner’s death, protesters and speakers honored the lives of others who have been killed by law enforcement, including Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Organized by Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network advocacy group, the #WeWillNotGoBack march attracted close to 3,000 people from across New York City and New Jersey, according to initial estimates by the police.
21 August 2014
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has ordered the United States National Guard to withdraw from Ferguson, citing "fewer incidents of outside instigators interfering with peaceful protestors, and fewer acts of violence,” according to ABC News correspondent Steven Portnoy.
.@GovJayNixon tells National Guard today to withdraw from #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/uVNAN5Zpaj
— Bill Raack (@billraack) August 21, 2014
20 August 2014
US Attorney General Eric Holder met with the family of slain teenager Michael Brown upon arriving in Ferguson, Missouri on Wednesday.
Holder was reportedly briefed by federal prosecutors regarding the civil rights investigation now ongoing into the death of the unarmed black teen slain by a white police officer.
The Attorney General also met with local community leaders and elected officials, and took time to commend Captain Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol for his efforts leading the security situation in the St. Louis suburb.Another photo of Holder, courtesy of DOJ #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/947uuWpaqw
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 20, 2014
A police officer who quickly gained notoriety after he brandished a gun at several individuals recording demonstrators has been removed from his post by the St. Louis County Police.
The officer in question had threateningly brandished a semi-automatic rifle at bystanders. A person who had been live-streaming the scene, going by the name of 'Rebelutionary Z' can be heard in clips shared via social media telling the officer that his “hands are up,” to which the officer responds “I will f-ing kill you -- get back! get back!”
The officer became widely known via Twitter when he was asked for his name and responded “Go f-ck yourself.”
Jelani Cobb, a contributor to the New Yorker, tweeted that Pastor Tomme Pierson confirmed that police entered a church in Ferguson on Wednesday afternoon, but was uncertain if any items were removed as suggested on social media.
One eyewitness reportedly told the media that police were concerned that the church was being used to house demonstrators illegally. According to Cobb, church leadership denies that protesters have been sleeping there.
Law enforcement has reportedly raided a church in Ferguson, MO on Wednesday afternoon that was being used as a safe house for demonstrators who have descended on the city during the last week to protest the killing of Michael Brown.
Breaking now: #ferguson St. marks Missionary Church - home of medical triage and healing for community currently being raided by police.
— justified agitator (@Awkward_Duck) August 20, 2014
The police are raiding St. Marks Church in #Ferguson and taking all of the supplies like water & more. This place is a beautiful safe haven.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) August 20, 2014
A record 78 arrests have been made overnight in Ferguson, KSDK reported, including four residents of the neighborhood and 48 residents of the St. Louis area. All except three people were arrested for failure to disperse at police order. Two were arrested for unlawful use of a weapon, while another one for interfering with an officer.
Initial witness reports of a calmer night in Ferguson were dashed after police respond to bottles being thrown at them.
And there it is. ALMOST a totally peaceful night. Here comes the sirens. They're throwing bottles.
— Trymaine Lee (@trymainelee) August 20, 2014
19 August 2014
Brown family lawyer Benjamin Crump has announced that the funeral for Michael Brown will be held on Monday, August 25th.
Funeral arrangements for #MichaelBrown have been confirmed for Monday. A press release with complete details will follow.
— Benjamin Crump, Esq. (@attorneycrump) August 19, 2014
The mother of Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in a controversial Florida confrontation in 2012, has penned a letter to the family of Michael Brown. Writing for Time, Sybrina Fulton lays out some of the similarities between the shootings, and offers the Brown family advice on how to deal with a tragic situation.
“You will … hear character assassinations about Michael which I am certain you already have,” she wrote. “This will incense and insult you. All of this will happen before and continue long after you have had the chance to lay your son to rest.”
“But know this: neither of their lives shall be in vain. The galvanizations of our communities must be continued beyond the tragedies … We will no longer be ignored. We will bond, continue our fights for justice, and make them remember our children in an appropriate light.”
According to the St. Louis, MO chief of police, Sam Dotson, the suspect killed during an officer-involved shooting mid-day Tuesday not far from Ferguson brandished a knife at local cops before being fatally wounded. Chief Dotson tweeted that no officers were injured and that an investigation is ongoing.
Officer involved shooting in the sixth district. Suspect brandished knife at @slmpd officers. No officers injured. Investigation is ongoing.
— Chief Sam Dotson (@ChiefSLMPD) August 19, 2014
A suspect is reportedly dead after another officer-involved shooting mid-day Tuesday in St. Louis, Missouri, less than 10 miles from the heart of Ferguson, according to local media.
#Breaking: Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting near Riverview Blvd & McLaran. http://t.co/zmGpvm4SNF#STLpic.twitter.com/WU6Gn8H4R4
— KSDK NewsChannel 5 (@ksdknews) August 19, 2014
At least 78 people were arrested during protests in Ferguson, Missouri on Monday night, NBC News reported, and not 31 as the authorities originally had claimed.
The news network reported on Tuesday that jail records suggest more than double the amount of arrests were made the evening prior than previously acknowledged, and that the majority of those detained were from the area.
“Of the 78, all but three were arrested for refusing to disperse, the records show. Two people, both from the St. Louis area, were arrested for unlawful use of a weapon, and a man from Rockton, Illinois, was arrested for interfering with an officer,” Gabe Gutierrez and Erin McClam reported for NBC.
According to their report, 18 people were arrested on Monday evening or Tuesday morning, including demonstrators from as far away as New York City and San Diego, California.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation, a non-profit group that advocates for the rights of journalists, wrote on Tuesday that no fewer than 11 journalists have been among those arrested so far in Ferguson this month, where the officer-involved fatal shooting of Michael Brown on August 9 continues to attract crowds rallying against police brutality and advocating for the arrest of the cop who opened fire at the teenager over a week ago.
31 arrests were made after police came under “heavy gunfire” on Tuesday, as racial unrest in Ferguson escalates, Reuters reports.
Apparently the demonstration was largely peaceful, but with smaller groups taking the fight to the police, which reportedly hadn’t fired “a single bullet,” according to State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson.
Car driver offered to give a ride home to remaining protesters. Police stopped the car, guns drawn pic.twitter.com/lK6a3LiJ4L
— Amanda M. Sakuma (@iamsakuma) August 19, 2014
There are reports of a gunshot victim, who was wounded amid the altercation between police and protesters. It was not immediately clear whether the victim was an officer, one of the demonstrators, or a bystander.
Police now warning everyone on our parking lot to leave or be arrested. Exception being made for credentialed media #ferguson
— Brian Rokus (@BrianRokusCNN) August 19, 2014
Missouri police say live ammunition fired from protesting demonstrators, Vice News reports from the scene. The officers ordered the media to go to a designated safe area.
Police-fired tear gas returned by a protester in #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/G0jFvHK6ez
— Ben Kesling (@bkesling) August 19, 2014
Amnesty International guy helping another man who was tear gassed pretty bad just now. #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/DVk9wBfFX1
— Amanda Wills (@AmandaWills) August 19, 2014
Police have started to forcefully disperse protesters in Ferguson with tear gas and stun grenades. Gunshots and the sound of breaking glass can be heard on live footage from the scene.
Tear gas, flash bangs. So much for restraint. #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/zVvBtztILn
— Danny Wicentowski (@D_Towski) August 19, 2014
Another bottle thrown at cops. Lots more gas and smoke #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/34vADKe27w
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 19, 2014
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Police: "All members of the media please separate yourself from the protesters immediately"
— Ryan Devereaux (@rdevro) August 19, 2014
"The police just announced don't throw rocks, something I never heard announced before. People are just standing there." -@timcast#ferguson
— Cecilia Tan (@ceciliatan) August 19, 2014
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Police orders to dismiss #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/VA7GQxpXvS
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) August 19, 2014
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Hundreds of protestors face to face w/ police W Florissant & Ferguson @michaelcalhoun#Fergusonpic.twitter.com/AH6XolvGTS
— Maria Keena (@kmoxmaria) August 19, 2014
Police In #Ferguson arrest first protestor pic.twitter.com/KGb4oeKgj8
— Marvin Bing (@MarvinBing) August 19, 2014
Large demonstrations in solidarity with those still ongoing in Ferguson, Missouri are taking place in New York City, as well as Atlanta, Georgia.
Outside the CNN Center in Atlanta for the Mike Brown rally. pic.twitter.com/jogRRY1a38
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) August 19, 2014
Currently time square #ferguson#mikebrown#NYChttps://t.co/Xr1PqaZKWH
— ReQ Cartier (@ReQCartier) August 19, 2014
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W Florissant now #Ferguson#MichaelBrownpic.twitter.com/JejD6fFvkI
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) August 19, 2014
Eight protestors in St. Louis were "peacefully arrested for failure to disperse," St. Louis, MO Police said on its Twitter page.
Peaceful protest. Peaceful arrests. Just don't block the doors, please. 8 arrests at the Wainwright building. pic.twitter.com/y6uXUTOARD
— Chief Sam Dotson (@ChiefSLMPD) August 18, 2014
18 August 2014
Members of the Missouri National Guard have been spotted arriving in Ferguson ahead of another night of possible disturbances.
BREAKING -- Missouri National Guard arrives in #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/NtykMDWzuL
— The Daily Rapid (@earththreats) August 18, 2014
National guard troops deployed on roofs #fergusonpic.twitter.com/wLs4J0wMnw
— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) August 18, 2014
Protests and arrests were reported in St. Louis, Missouri, with demonstrators attempting to enter a state government office building barred by security.
Protesters aren't being let in, security told me they're not here on "official business" - #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/6CleokqMnA
— Chris Stanford (@StanfordKMOV) August 18, 2014
Police now arresting peaceful protesters for no apparent reason, state office building # ferguson pic.twitter.com/EiiLImfcNo
— Zeke Johnson (@ZekeJohnsonAi) August 18, 2014
Chants of "The National Guard has got to go!" heard in St. Louis approaching Governor Nixon's office there pic.twitter.com/YhpJRlwTmd
— Patrick deHahn (@patrickdehahn) August 18, 2014
Arrested. Stay human t-shirt pic.twitter.com/vuLOmvPhHC
— Nancy Cambria (@nanecam) August 18, 2014
President Obama said during a Monday afternoon briefing at the White House that US Attorney General Eric Holder will arrive in Ferguson, Missouri on Wednesday this week to meet with Department of Justice personnel, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and local officials.
RT @Polly_evro: Military personnel at the mall #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/hCyhAQMsks
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) August 18, 2014
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has lifted the curfew in Ferguson, MO following the deployment of the US National Guard.
"We will not use a curfew tonight," Nixon wrote in a statement issued on Monday afternoon, acknowledging reports of violence during recent protests in Ferguson and adding: "we must defend Ferguson from these violent interlopers so that the peaceful protests can operate in peace and the search for answers and justice can continue."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on U.S. authorities on Monday to ensure the protection of the rights of protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, where there have been demonstrations and rioting over the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black teen.
"The Secretary-General calls on the authorities to ensure that the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are protected," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
"He calls on all to exercise restraint, for law enforcement officials to abide by U.S. and international standards in dealing with demonstrators," Dujarric said. (Reuters)
Dr. Michael Bade, forensic pathologist, says “there weren’t signs of a struggle” between Michael Brown and the officer who fired the fatal shots last week.
During a Monday morning press conference in Ferguson, Daryl Parks, an attorney for the family of Michael Brown, said the preliminary autopsy results reveal that one of the six shots that struck and killed the teenager exited his body near the eye, and “supports what the witnesses said about him trying to surrender.” According to Parks, that shot was fired while Brown’s head was pointed down.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has signed an executive order directing “highly capable men and women” of the Missouri National Guard “to assist Colonel Ron Replogle and the Unified Command in restoring peace and order to” Ferguson, his office said in a statement.
The governor condemned crimes in the community, “that included firing upon law enforcement officers, shooting a civilian, throwing Molotov cocktails, looting, and a coordinated attempt to block roads and overrun the Unified Command Center.”
This evening’s rioting in Ferguson was a “preplanned agitation” rather than simply civil disobedience, Missouri State Police told journalists.
Demonstrators had Molotov cocktails with them. Police had to act to protect lives and property as the firebombs were thrown, a spokesman said.
Overnight seven or eight people were arrested, the spokesman said. Two or three people were injured by gunshots.
An hour into the curfew in Ferguson, no major altercations were reported.
Young African american man was just loaded into ambulance in #ferguson on west Florissant witnesses say he was shot pic.twitter.com/6bX4h5ovrS
— Molly Hennessy-Fiske (@mollyhf) August 18, 2014
The official curfew has commenced in Ferguson.
Stand-off #Ferguson#FergusonRiotpic.twitter.com/2dhV1Zy9Gl
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) August 18, 2014
#Ferguson cop threatens journalist at gunpoint, then "Captain Todd" refuses to name the officer. (via @xor) https://t.co/MKMvDJdLky
— Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) August 18, 2014
Warning, profane language.
Besides police helicopter, a surveillance drone is hovering above chaos area in #Ferguson. Police keep issuing warnings for protesters:leave
— Anastasia Churkina (@NastiaChurkina) August 18, 2014
Reports emerge that an 8-year-old girl was hit with tear gas.
Michael Brown, the black teen killed by a police officer on August 9, was shot at least six times, a private autopsy report shows, according to the New York Times. Former chief medical examiner for the City of New York, Dr. Michael Baden had told the newspaper that the 18-year-old was shot twice in the head from very close range.
Police teargassing protesters in Ferguson pic.twitter.com/xY54gG2BDZ
— Andrés Benedicto (@_abenedicto) August 18, 2014
Police teargassed unarmed protesters and press in Ferguson pic.twitter.com/fHkaShaOwq
— Andrés Benedicto (@_abenedicto) August 18, 2014
Protesters begin to smash store windows.
Mcdonalds windows smashed #Ferguson#FergusonRiotspic.twitter.com/OCcHbhV3Rt
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) August 18, 2014
Journalist for RT Ruptly, Andrés Benedicto tweets his photo after being tear gased.
Police teargassed protesters and media in Ferguson pic.twitter.com/d0nYk9Q5uh
— Andrés Benedicto (@_abenedicto) August 18, 2014
Ruptly reports that its crew was tear gased in the riot.
@Ruptly news crew in #Ferguson was tear gased #FergusonRiotpic.twitter.com/DPXsX3VxDp
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) August 18, 2014
Protesters appeared to be unarmed when police started deploying tear gas.
Protesters were completely unarmed and peacefully marching when they and press were teargassed #Ferguson
— Andrés Benedicto (@_abenedicto) August 18, 2014
Tear gas has once again been used against protesters in Ferguson more than two hours before the extended curfew was set to begin.
Police uses tear gas #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/7MVICEYB0k
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) August 18, 2014
Police forces fire teargas at journalists and our car when leaving the scene - whole area is covered in teargas #Ferguson#MikeBrown
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) August 18, 2014
17 August 2014
The authorities in Ferguson are still enforcing the curfew that bars residents, bent on venting their outrage at the murder of a black teenager by a police officer, from being on the streets after midnight.
READ MORE:Curfew extended indefinitely to quell Ferguson protests
Missouri governor Jay Nixon didn’t mention if authorities are planning to cancel the curfew any time soon, adding it depends on the community. “We'd like to see it ratcheted down. What we'd like to see, that will be judged by the community," he said in an interview on CNN.
Peacefull community rally at the Greater Grace church #MichaelBrown#Fergusonpic.twitter.com/LXtCa025V4
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) August 17, 2014
Protesters in the UK have marched on the US embassy in solidarity with Brown, chanting: "How many cops in the KKK?"
A federal autopsy has been ordered for Michael Brown by US Attorney General Eric Holder, a Justice Department spokesman told Reuters. Brian Fallon said Holder ordered the federal autopsy "due to the extraordinary circumstances involved in this case and at the request of the Brown family." The procedure will be as well as an autopsy to be performed by Missouri state medical examiners, the results of which will be consulted during the federal autopsy.
Police radio says that a person has been shot, and it's not clear if rubber bullets were used. It's also reported that the man, wounded in his leg, has been taken to hospital.
Several arrests have been reported, with St. Louis alderman Antonio French allegedly detained for a second time.
Police were using smoke bombs against protesters, after earlier conflicting reports of tear gas being used. Gunshots were reportedly being heard in the area.
Police are announcing on a bullhorn that the protesters have to leave the area immediately. "This is the police. You're in violation of the state-imposed curfew. You must disperse immediately," the police are saying.
Police are now wearing gas masks, witnesses report on Twitter.
There are approximately 70 officer moving forward now putting on gas masks #Ferguson
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 17, 2014
#Ferguson crowd in front if QuikTrip chanting "we ready, we ready" 200 people is my estimate three cars have been parked across road
— David Carson (@PDPJ) August 17, 2014
Protesters have blocked the street in #Ferguson at 12:23am. Chanting "No justice, no curfew." Police holding back. pic.twitter.com/iU9rdP4NQL
— Toluse O. (@ToluseO) August 17, 2014
Protesters in Ferguson are defying the curfew that started almost half an hour ago.
We're not going anywhere. #Ferguson@YourAnonNewspic.twitter.com/3H0WZ3f7S1
— Steve Schmidt (@Steve_Schmid7) August 17, 2014
Florissant Ave empties after citizens organization 'Peacekeepers' asks the crowd to be back tomorrow @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/uRZSCxC3F1
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) August 17, 2014
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) August 17, 2014
Police on the scene in #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/hZyuLhqvVG
— Alex Wroblewski (@alexwroblewski) August 17, 2014
Despite the upcoming curfew, the crowd is growing at a QuikTrip convenience store near the location where Brown was killed.
The scene from in front of the infamous old Quik Trip. #fergusonhttps://t.co/FDwFgBomJ6
— Joel D. Anderson (@blackink12) August 17, 2014
Hours before the curfew, authorities have apparently blocked off the main access routes to the protest area.
2hr15m before curfew, a column of police in riot gear is arriving in Ferguson. "Why are you here already?" people ask pic.twitter.com/VQdLMuQtBP
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 17, 2014
A bus load of officers in riot gear just got off a bus at the corner of W Florissant and Ferguson Ave. #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/5NTEQc5qZa
— Joel D. Anderson (@blackink12) August 17, 2014
Police checkpoints are reportedly being setup across Ferguson ahead of the curfew as hundreds of people are still in the streets.
Amnesty International disagrees with the curfew being a viable option to ease tensions as it is “clear that the community doesn't feel heard.”
"It's hard to build trust when the governor won't meet with community members and restricts their movements with a curfew,” said Margaret Huang, deputy executive director of Amnesty International USA, as cited by USA Today. “The people of Ferguson should not have their rights further restricted."
Amnesty International on the #Ferguson curfew: pic.twitter.com/jBdS4iAQse
— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) August 16, 2014
Amani and Omari have a message for the world from #Ferguson and it's not just for #MikeBrown but everyone @Ruptlypic.twitter.com/BUct0uQWae
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) August 17, 2014
First drone views of the protest at the QT available via @Ruptly#Ferguson#MichaelBrownpic.twitter.com/b0T6ZgW9Rs
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) August 17, 2014
#Ferguson is amazing atm. Peaceful, strong solidarity march shows the real face of the community. Thankful to be here pic.twitter.com/BX7JpNALet
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) August 17, 2014
Urgent call from a #Ferguson resident 'No more looting!!! This is for Mike!! #MikeBrown@Ruptlypic.twitter.com/99vDy25cR0
— denise reese (@denice_ruptly) August 17, 2014
16 August 2014
Missouri governor has declared state of emergency and set curfew in Ferguson suburb where a black teenager Michael Brown was shot dead by police last weekend, sparking a series of week-long mass protests.
"The eyes of the world are watching. This is the test of whether a community, this community, any community, can break the cycle of fear, distrust and violence, and replace them with peace, strength and, ultimately, justice," Governor Jay Nixon said in his speech at a church near Ferguson.
The curfew will be imposed from midnight to 5 am local time, according to Captain Ronald Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who also spoke at the press conference, following Governor Jay Nixon.
The end of childhood: How the violence in Ferguson will change its children http://t.co/aOSoKBqaHc
— STLtoday (@stltoday) August 16, 2014
Watch footage from tonight in #Ferguson#FergusonRiot via @Ruptlyhttp://t.co/EwjalPscme
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) August 16, 2014
The mayor of Ferguson claims there's no "black-white divide" there. @blackink12 found some residents who disagree: http://t.co/6aRuZdB7cE
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) August 16, 2014
Anger boils over again in Ferguson http://t.co/qmgW1jG3kzpic.twitter.com/dqtdMLQJnY
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 16, 2014
Tear gas thrown by the Ferguson Police pic.twitter.com/lt7XrNGwl1
— Andrés Benedicto (@_abenedicto) August 16, 2014
3:45 a.m. & officers are finally getting in their trucks & going home. "See you tomorrow!" someone yelled. #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/Dm89qC5G1d
— Joel D. Anderson (@blackink12) August 16, 2014
Protesters looted two stores in Ferguson pic.twitter.com/9Sv38CMshd
— Andrés Benedicto (@_abenedicto) August 16, 2014
Tear gas that was used tonight. Still smelled strong. #Ferguson#MichaelBrownpic.twitter.com/1i1zaAWKSU
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 16, 2014
The tear gas used by police in Ferguson has been known for its severe effects on health. They include temporary blindness, breathing problems, and the risk of miscarriages, as well as potential heart and liver damage. But tear gas is not the only tool police have used to counter the mostly peaceful rallies in Ferguson.
Security forces there also have an M4 rifle in their arsenal - a field-army weapon used in various military conflicts. Police have also been reinforced by light-armored vehicles, which were in service in Afghanistan and Iraq.
And if that's not enough, an MK 11 sniper rifle, also used in combat, was seen as appropriate kit to tackle peaceful rallies.
Retired LAPD deputy chief Stephen Downing told RT that while the military has enemies and is trained to kill them, “law enforcement has no enemies.”
“Even the most dangerous criminal is someone entitled to the protection of the constitution,” Downing said.
VICE News: Live from Ferguson, Missouri
RT's Anastasia Churkina questioned protesters in Ferguson about the police tactics used at a peaceful demonstration.
Lock em all up RT @phampel: #ferguson Looters entering Ferguson market and liquor site of MB strong arm robbery pic.twitter.com/r9DYk2lBUG
— Brandon. (@MyPotnaB) August 16, 2014
Ongoing coverage of civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri
#ferguson Looters entering Ferguson market and liquor site of MB strong arm robbery pic.twitter.com/X1hCI9M0SK
— paul hampel (@phampel) August 16, 2014
Protesters looting again now at family dollar store #fergusonpic.twitter.com/uTqaRmuFlR
— Anonymous Operations (@YourAnonGlobal) August 16, 2014
Hands up, don’t shoot as police in riot gear form ranks 100 yards away in #Fergursonpic.twitter.com/IWBckQ5mAc
— Ben Kesling (@bkesling) August 16, 2014
Police demanding to go, crowd is not moving anywhere #Ferguson#FergusonRiotpic.twitter.com/0FsIrbAqSz
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) August 16, 2014
Police throw stun grenades at peaceful protest and speed off in squad cars on w Florissant. Ignited gunfire from crowd #Ferguson
— Brent McDonald (@docubrent) August 16, 2014
And so a day that started with peaceful protest is ending with officers in armored vehicles demanding everyone leave. #Ferguson
— Joel D. Anderson (@blackink12) August 16, 2014
I just got teargassed. Riot police dispersed the crowd by McDonalds in #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/i9rGRjAlrc
— weston (@west_on) August 16, 2014
JUST IN: Tear gas fired at protesters in #Ferguson. Our photojournalist reports it was brief and seems to have calmed situation.
— Rob Edwards (@RobertDEdwards) August 16, 2014
Right now in #Ferguson. Gun shots, smoke, pic.twitter.com/V8bj6qO3RA
— Toluse O. (@ToluseO) August 16, 2014
A new petition has been uploaded to Whitehouse.gov, asking the Obama administration to pass the “Mike Brown Law,” mandating all state, county, and local police to wear a camera.
“The law shall be made in an effort to not only detour police misconduct (i.e. brutality, profiling, abuse of power), but to ensure that all police are following procedure, and to remove all question, from normally questionable police encounters,” the petition reads.
Posted on August 13, it has already accumulated more than 60,000 of the 100,000 signatures needed to initiate a response from the White House.
The crowd in Ferguson are watching the break-dance show, which has managed to gather a bigger audience than Capt Johnson, who was giving an interview earlier, Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Kesling says.
Watching the breakdancing in #Ferguson. Bigger crowds around the cardboard than on the streets tonight. pic.twitter.com/y53m08SCfj
— Ben Kesling (@bkesling) August 16, 2014
In #Ferguson, behind the live TV shots…protesters gather. pic.twitter.com/4HsiD4qa0f
— Ben Kesling (@bkesling) August 16, 2014
The burned-out QuikTrip in #Ferguson. No one I spoke with regrets it burned. No one expressed sympathy for the owner. pic.twitter.com/SosctFpR9W
— Ben Kesling (@bkesling) August 16, 2014
Capt. Ron Johnson has thanked the New Black Panther Party who, along with Nation of Islam have been directing traffic at night in Ferguson.
Capt Ron Johnson giving an interview in #Ferguson Friday night. Before walking to QuikTrip with protesters. pic.twitter.com/G8GJFkeh7h
— Ben Kesling (@bkesling) August 16, 2014
The American public is raising questions as to why a dashboard cam that could have explained the August 9th killing was not installed in police car.
Ferguson’s police chief, Thomas Jackson says his department has no money to install two dashboard cameras purchased in spring. A dashcam and installation costs $3,000 but his jurisdiction has 18 patrol cars and no funds to do it, KDVR reports.
Minutes before a police officer shot him dead, Michael Brown had become a suspect in the theft of cigars from a store, according to police reports released on Friday. But hours after the reports' release, police said that Officer Darren Wilson, 28, had no idea 18-year-old Brown was a robbery suspect.
Wilson simply wanted Brown to move from the road to the sidewalk, Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson said at a news conference.
"He was walking down the middle of the street blocking traffic. That was it," Jackson said.
15 August 2014
St. Louis County Police Officers Association released a statement accusing Governor Jay Nixon of jeopardizing officers' lives.
Statement from St. Louis County Police Officers Assoc., saying @GovJayNixon put officers lives in danger. #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/plnDpI5uRE
— Alex Heuer (@alexheuer) August 15, 2014
Attorneys for the family of Michael Brown said that the release of surveillance camera footage alleged to show the teenager robbing a store before he was shot amounts to “character assassination,” and urged demonstrators to remain peaceful.
Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson told reporters during a Friday afternoon press conference that Darren Wilson, the cop who fatally shot Michael Brown last weekend, did not know that the teenager was suspected of involvement in a minor robbery moments earlier.
Police had acknowledged earlier on Friday that Brown and a friend were suspected of stealing cigars from a convenience store, but only later in the day did they announce that Officer Wilson was unaware of the incident.
Brown and his friend were stopped before shots were fired, Chief Jackson said, “because they were walking down the middle of the street blocking traffic.”
Four days of fiery protests in Ferguson, Missouri turned peaceful late Thursday, and even attracted the appearance of a mock multi-car locomotive. Social media users watching the demonstrations in person and over the web shared images using the hashtag #ThomasTheTrain, bringing a glimpse of light-heartedness to an otherwise emotionally-charged week.
Officials on Friday morning confirmed the name of the cop who shot and killed Michael Brown as Officer Darren Wilson, and said that the teenager and a friend, Dorian Johnson, took cigars from a Ferguson, Missouri convenience store moments before the ordeal ended with Brown’s death, according to surveillance camera footage.
“We see that there’s tape, that they claim they got a tape that shows there was some sort of strong-armed robbery,” Freeman Bosley, Johnson’s attorney, told MSNBC. “We need to see that tape, my client did tell us and told the FBI that they went into the store. He told FBI that he did take cigarillos, he told that to the DOJ and the St. Louis County Police.”
Stills from camera pic.twitter.com/FEcmKc3oGr
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 15, 2014
PETITION: Mike Brown Law. Requires all state, county, and local police to wear a camera. https://t.co/VEHI823VDd
— Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) August 15, 2014
Thousands all over the US gathered for the protest vigils over the killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by a white policeman.
The vigils were held in more than 90 cities, AP reported.
A few hundred people, including the victim’s mother, gathered in St. Louis, Missouri, a short drive from Ferguson where the incident happened.
In Ferguson, crowds also held candles, banners, supported the cause with car honking and shouting, according to RT’s Anastasia Churkina, reporting from the town.
Police presence was also much less than on Thursday, she added.
In Ferguson, about 65 percent of the 21,000 population are black, while all but three of the 53 police officers are white.
Ferguson supporters in New York City have ended their protest in Manhattan’s Times Square of the the night. Four people were arrested at the demonstration, Newsweek reports.
Protestors in Times Square have cleared out, except for one angry demonstrator. pic.twitter.com/yvRMblArgt
— RT America (@RT_America) August 15, 2014
Twitter compiled every geotagged tweet that mentioned Ferguson and plugged them all into one map, starting with the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a police officer on Saturday, City Lab reports. The maps show that, with the arrests of two journalists ‒ Huffington Post's Ryan J. Reilly and Washington Post's Wesley Lowery ‒ on Wednesday night, social media erupted.
Police in Ferguson, Missouri said they will release the name of the officer who shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown on Friday, authorities told KTVI. Authorities originally said they would identify the cop, who is on paid leave, by noon on Tuesday, but decided against that, citing death threats. Hactivists from Anonymous began a campaign called #OpFerguson to discover the man’s identity. The group told RT’s Andrew Blake on Thursday that they would continue to steadily release information about the officer they believe to have killed Brown, and promised to post his address and other personal information later in the day if law enforcement failed to name the officer on their own.
"What's his name! What's his name! #MichaelBrownhttps://t.co/KxLS1iXsGN
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 15, 2014
Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the de facto commander of the Ferguson Police Department, is showing that he is bringing a different tone to the city after days of unrest.
New de facto #ferguson police commander Ron Johnson amid celebratory crowd. 'The gas masks are off. Won't come back.' pic.twitter.com/jTtWi3LF7i
— Rory Carroll (@rorycarroll72) August 15, 2014
Captain Johnson live with @donlemon@cnn says people can stay here as long as they want. #fergusonpic.twitter.com/Ib55xLyGU7
— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) August 15, 2014
Capt. Johnson. Inspiring. What an incredible night this is in #Ferguson. pic.twitter.com/be5tqZWuyh
— Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun) August 15, 2014
Thousands of people are rallying in New York in solidarity with residents of Ferguson, showing support to people across the US who have been victims of police brutality. The NYPD has threatened mass arrests if people do not stop blocking traffic.
New York police are warning the protesters to get back on the sidewalks.
ALERT: #NYPD begins to kettle hundreds of protestors in NYC #JusticeForMikeBrown#NMOS14#Fergusonpic.twitter.com/4psrp1c6LW
— Occupy Congress (@OCongress) August 15, 2014
Thousands of protesters have flooded Times Square, blocking the traffic in central Manhattan.
#NYPD warning 3,000+ protestors to "get on the sidewalk." #JusticeForMikeBrown#Ferguson#NMOS14pic.twitter.com/PZisNEQTfr
— Occupy Congress (@OCongress) August 15, 2014
RT’s Anastasia Churkina covering the protest in Ferguson is saying that thousands of protesters have now flooded the streets. “I've covered hundreds of protests in the US, never seen anything like this before,”she tweeted.
Ferguson pic.twitter.com/PO94pzWmfp
— Anastasia Churkina (@NastiaChurkina) August 15, 2014
Protesters holding up signs, candles, others with hands up in the air #MichaelBrownpic.twitter.com/49Wjkic2Q2
— Anastasia Churkina (@NastiaChurkina) August 15, 2014
Hundreds out in streets of Ferguson again. Senior police officer gets out of car to talk to protesters pic.twitter.com/2OWixjY4Af
— Anastasia Churkina (@NastiaChurkina) August 15, 2014
"@Occupocalypse: Boston right now #NMOS14pic.twitter.com/z4y7sDrZML" I was one of many in the crowd
— Paul Torres (@Pt3_NikeSwoosh) August 15, 2014
Thousands of protestors have their #handsup in Times Square. #JusticeForMikeBrown#Fergusonpic.twitter.com/xfdWa9H0t1
— Occupy Congress (@OCongress) August 15, 2014
Simple and to the point: "End police brutality." #NMOS14#NYCpic.twitter.com/IP4Zk25DsH
— RT America (@RT_America) August 15, 2014
Candles lit for those affected by police brutality #NMOS14#NYCpic.twitter.com/jgizxCcdIT
— RT America (@RT_America) August 14, 2014
Diverse group out at #NMOS14 in #NYCpic.twitter.com/gIOnqlozDn
— RT America (@RT_America) August 14, 2014
14 August 2014
RT @Claudia8News: Moment of silence for victims of police brutality during peaceful event at Monroe Park. #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/UWkw3jxQXD
— eileen spiegler (@espiegler) August 14, 2014
Hundreds of people gathered at New York City Union Square for National Moment of Silence for Victims of Police Brutality.
HANDS UP, DONT SHOOT #NMOS14#fergusonhttps://t.co/68KMEBZRks
— ReQ Cartier (@ReQCartier) August 14, 2014
As the public continues to express anger over the killing of an unarmed black teenager by a police officer, RT’s Anastasia Churkina is reporting from Ferguson, Missouri.
Gathering in #NYC chants "hands up don't shoot" Solidarity with #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/plXs2WGlPi
— JamesFromTheInternet (@JamesFTInternet) August 14, 2014
Thursday evening has gotten off to a far different start compared to the previous day, with Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson walking alongside protesters.
Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol walks along with the Ferguson march. Compare this to Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/Vtezu4MuHk
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) August 14, 2014
About 60 protesters are chanting "Hands up! Don't shoot!" #BaltimoreForFerguson#Fergusonpic.twitter.com/O2zuvkEeq5
— Real News Network (@TheRealNews) August 14, 2014
Amidst nightly clashes in #Ferguson, locals remain respectful to each other & journalists. Say all they want is justice & to be heard.
— Anastasia Churkina (@NastiaChurkina) August 14, 2014
As the violence escalates at the Ferguson protests which have entered their sixth day, RT takes a look at the brutal scenes of heavily militarized security forces using excessive force to disperse crowds rallying against police killing an unarmed 18yo.
READ MORE: Iraq? Afghanistan? Police gear up against Ferguson protesters (PHOTOS)
Watch RT's Anastasia Churkina report from the scene of Ferguson protests.
Day 5 of protests in #Ferguson. This is the scene now on the main street where clashes have been unraveling pic.twitter.com/yU3X0qp0ZW
— Anastasia Churkina (@NastiaChurkina) August 14, 2014
Images coming from a tense Ferguson, Missouri this week show local police armed to the teeth and appearing as an occupying force in attempts to suppress citizen outrage over the fatal shooting of an unarmed teenager by a police officer.
READ MORE:Pentagon supplied St. Louis County police with military-grade weapons (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
Hacktivists say they’ve identified the Ferguson, Missouri law enforcement officer responsible for the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager killed on Saturday following an alleged altercation with the police.
READ MORE:Anonymous claim they've identified the cop who killed Mike Brown in Ferguson
The governor of Missouri relieved St. Louis County law enforcement from policing the ongoing demonstrations in the town of Ferguson, putting Highway Patrol in charge instead.
READ MORE:Highway police take control over all police operations in Ferguson
Two reporters were detained at the Ferguson protests, and police behaved as “soldiers” with the “enemy combatants,” journalists said. Outrage over the incident spilled into both the media and social networks.
Press freedom? Police target media, arrest and teargas reporters at Ferguson protests
More unrest in #Ferguson, Missouri, as police fire tear gas at protesters: http://t.co/sUkdk2ltRtpic.twitter.com/FVa165P8ej
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) August 14, 2014
Police have reportedly fired tear gas at Al Jazeera journalists trying to set up for a story.
Just saw teargas land right at feet of al-Jazeera America camera crew. They say they were also shot at pic.twitter.com/tbMSlENDlV
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 14, 2014
The Guardian’s Jon Swaine said he watched officers handcuff two reporters at the gathering and place them in a police vehicle. When he tried to confirm the identities of those detained, police in riot gear marched towards him and threatened to cuff him as well.
Those reporters turned out to be Reilly of the Huffington Post and Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post. Lowery tweeted that both of them were released with no charges, but added that he saw an African American man in a police truck screaming for a paramedic only to be ignored by police.
According to Huffington Post reporter Ryan J. Reilly, at least 70 SWAT officers showed up to the demonstration. Police apparently told the crowd to move, offering no explanation and saying simply,“This is not open for discussion.”
An overwhelming group of SWAT forces in riot gear has descended on protesters who gathered once again in Ferguson, Missouri, on Wednesday. After nightfall, police deployed tear gas against the crowd, warning the protest was “no longer peaceful.”
‘No longer peaceful assembly’: Ferguson SWAT fire tear gas, rubber bullets
13 August 2014
After nightfall, police deployed tear gas against the crowd, warning the protest was “no longer peaceful.” Police have reportedly blocked off some of the exit points.
An overwhelming group of SWAT forces in riot gear has descended on protesters who gathered once again in Ferguson.
I counted 70+ SWAT officers. Guns trained on crowds. Insanity. pic.twitter.com/stev2G6v4b
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 13, 2014
12 August 2014
In addition to the FBI’s probe, St. Louis County is also investigating the events on Saturday that have led to two nights of racially-charged tension between angered residents and a militarized, mostly white police force in the majority-black suburb of St. Louis.
10s of businesses in #missouri boarded up after vandalism caused by rage over Michael Brown's death @RT_compic.twitter.com/Xx5rtijsr4
— Anastasia Churkina (@NastiaChurkina) August 12, 2014
The FBI has opened a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer. Meanwhile, officials have rescinded a plan to reveal the shooting officer's identity,
11 August 2014
Saw #riot#police use tear gas in #missouri while locals stood out on the street, outside their homes, no violent protesting. #MichaelBrown
— Anastasia Churkina (@NastiaChurkina) August 12, 2014
Heavily-armed police officers have fired tear gas, used German Shepherds, and fired rubber bullets at protesters in attempts to intimidate and suppress outrage. Officers from other local jurisdictions were part of the police force in Ferguson on Monday, according to reports.
"They brought this on themselves,"said Adam Burcher, 25, of Ferguson, according to Reuters. Burcher held a sign reading, “Stop Killing” as he and others demonstrated outside the Ferguson Police Department.
Protesters flooded the streets east of downtown Ferguson on Monday night, chanting"hands up, don’t shoot” and“no justice, no peace.” They said the shooting is the latest in a storied history of police harassment of area minorities.
10 August 2014
SWAT outside Walgreens at W. Florisant and Chambers. pic.twitter.com/7oh9vLqiLv
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 11, 2014
About 150 officers in riot gear from throughout St. Louis County, along with canine units and a SWAT team, have been dispatched as reports of looting and rioting are reported. A QuikTrip gas station was torched and looted by angry residents.
Hundreds of demonstrators - as many as 1,000, according to police - have gathered at the site of the shooting, some of them shouting "Kill the police" and "Don't Shoot," a county police spokesman said, as quoted by the Chicago Tribune.
Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson confirmed that Brown was killed by a police officer, who had been put on paid administrative leave. The case is now with the St. Louis county police.
About a hundred people have gathered at Ferguson police HQ, chanting:“No Justice! No Peace!”
Lesley McSpadden, mother of victim, confronts police. #FergusonShooting@stltodaypic.twitter.com/kPX3Fzsnyc
— stevegiegerich (@stevegiegerich) August 10, 2014
Residents in Ferguson held a vigil for Brown on Sunday near the scene of his death, laying candles, flowers and stuffed toys at an improvised memorial at the center of the scene.
09 August 2014
Brown’s grandmother, Desiree Harris, told the Associated Press the young man was running around the neighborhood at the time he was killed.
"He was running this way," she said. "When I got up there, my grandson was lying on the pavement. I asked the police what happened. They didn't tell me nothing."
“I know they killed my son,” Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, was heard telling an acquaintance. “This was wrong and it was cold-hearted.”
Police in Ferguson, Missouri have killed a teenager who was unarmed, sparking outrage from the local community. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was a recent high school graduate who was fatally shot by an officer while walking towards his grandmother’s house on Friday. The young man was reportedly shot up to eight times, and witnesses said he had his hands in the air when the incident occurred.
Police, however, said Brown “pushed a police officer back into the car, where he physically assaulted the police officer” while attempting to take the officer’s weapon. It’s unclear why police approached Brown in the first place.