Ferguson Day 11: 50 Protesters Arrested
By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 20, 2014 3:45PM
In a novel change of tactics, police in Ferguson, Missouri attempted a calmer, “don’t fire tear gas at demonstrators” approach Tuesday night, after 11 days of police action with the world watching.
And the new strategy worked, at least for a while.
Another man is calmly explaining to police officers how he feels harassed, officers are listening. Different vibe tonight #Ferguson
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 20, 2014As the protests against the shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown approached midnight, however, tensions sparked anew. At least 47 people were arrested in minor skirmishes Tuesday night. still, Capt. Ron Johnson, the Missouri Highway Patrol officer in charge of security in the St. Louis suburb, called it a “turning point” in the demonstrations.
“Protest crowds were a bit smaller, and they were out early. We had to respond to fewer incidents than the night before. There were no Molotov cocktails tonight. There were no shootings.”
By midnight, organizers leading the protests managed to clear the streets of most of the demonstrators. Some who remained, according to reporters covering the demonstrations, insisted on pushing the envelope.
Out of town protestor was VERY eager to confront police; #Ferguson protest leaders steered him away.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 20, 2014This guy doing his best to cause problems. Peacekeepers trying to get him to stop yelling at police pic.twitter.com/2prFX9vKR7
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 20, 2014Both police and demonstrators expressed frustration with the media presence in Ferguson.
So much anger and intensity right now, a man is calling for media to keep cameras on. Police ordering media out
— Ryan Devereaux (@rdevro) August 20, 2014You have demonstrators getting frustrated with the zillion cameramen right now.
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) August 20, 2014It bears repeating: Are we the media helping or hurting. #Ferguson
— Akilah Johnson (@akjohnson1922) August 20, 2014Among those arrested was a National Lawyers Guild legal observer. Daily Banter reporter Chez Pazienza was reportedly maced.
See the cop w/his hand going for his belt? He hit me square in the face w/pepper spray. Excruciating. pic.twitter.com/Vm2LM5KpP0
— Chez Pazienza (@chezpazienza) August 20, 2014