Ferguson Protesters Shut Down Black Friday; 16 Arrested

By Jon Graef in News on Nov 29, 2014 4:30PM

16 protestors were arrested in Ferguson, MO, on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, as demonstrations continued following a grand jury's decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown. [A decision which continues to be debated wildly in the media].

Protestors in the city successfully shut down local area malls, at least temporarily, as they implored shoppers to boycott Black Friday. According to the Associated Press, a common refrain amongst the protestors was “[s]top shopping and join the movement.”

Don't forget #BoycottBlackFriday tomorrow! #NotOneDime pic.twitter.com/HZ8xj38gq0

— ShordeeDooWhop (@Nettaaaaaaaa) November 28, 2014

Several protestors staged a die-in at one area mall. Those protestors who were arrested were taken into custody for "blocking the flow of traffic" as they were protesting in the streets, according to reporter Alexis Zotos.

Arrests happening now. #ferguson pic.twitter.com/evWZ9MXAmc

— Alexis Zotos (@alexiszotos) November 29, 2014

Of the 16 protestors arrested in Ferguson, all but one were arrested "for misdemeanor peace disturbance." One man was arrested for "assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and peace disturbance," according to the Associated Press.

Previous demonstrations saw arrests of dozens of protestors. While Friday's activities appeared calmer by comparison, one reported eyewitness said "legal observers were maced." Another noted the intense local police presence compared to the few protestors who remained at the end of the night.

Protests continued nationwide, including in Chicago, New York, Seattle, and California.