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Tensions In Ferguson Run High For A Second Night

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 26, 2014 4:30PM

The situation in Ferguson, Missouri remained tense for a second straight night as protests against a grand jury’s decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown continued. Forty-four people were arrested, down from 61 the previous night, as 2,200 National Guard troops were deployed to help maintain a semblance of order. Despite another night of looting, flipping over and setting fire to police cars, random gunfire and police using tear gas as a dispersal technique, authorities called Tuesday night’s events “calmer” than Monday night.

Police in paramilitary gear arrived at Ferguson’s City Hall to prevent rioters from damaging the building. Only a few windows were broken, according to St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar.

Belmar added the looting and property damage was relegated to a few bad apples among the throng of demonstrators. "We saw some protesters out there that were really out there for the right reason," he said.

National Guard troops made their presence felt in the areas of Ferguson that were hit hardest by looting and arson Monday night. Across the country, solidarity protests continued. In Chicago, a 28-hour “die-in” outside Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office ended after police threatened to arrest protesters; they took their demonstration to the streets instead. Thousands of protesters in New York City shut down bridges, the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels and parts of the FDR and West Side Highways. Thousands more gathered in Washington, DC’s Mt. Vernon Square and marched. One hundred fifty protesters were arrested in Los Angeles and the 101 freeway was shut down by demonstrations.