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St. Louis protest forces closure of Kingshighway, as marchers roam and projectiles thrown at police ‘Killer cops have got to go’: Arrests at ‘largely peaceful’ St. Louis protest
(35 minutes later)
Protesters demonstrating in the streets of downtown St. Louis, Missouri, have remained “largely peaceful,” but mace has been deployed after rocks and water bottles being thrown threatened the legality of the gathering, according to police. Protests in the streets of downtown St. Louis, Missouri have remained “largely peaceful,” but mace has been deployed after rocks and water bottles were thrown, threatening the legality of the gathering, police said.
At issue is a jury's verdict that came down Friday, acquitting a white officer of murder of a black man.At issue is a jury's verdict that came down Friday, acquitting a white officer of murder of a black man.
North and Southbound areas of Kingshighway are closed, including south of Interstate-40, causing traffic delays, according to the St. Louis Police Department. Other street intersections have also been blocked by sit-ins.North and Southbound areas of Kingshighway are closed, including south of Interstate-40, causing traffic delays, according to the St. Louis Police Department. Other street intersections have also been blocked by sit-ins.
The protesters have attempted to go onto Interstate-64, however, a large contingent of police is blocking the path, the Associated Press reported.The protesters have attempted to go onto Interstate-64, however, a large contingent of police is blocking the path, the Associated Press reported.
Thirteen people have been arrested during Friday’s protest, the police said. In the late afternoon, some groups of marchers were heard chanting “we shut s*** down” and “these killer cops have got to go.”Thirteen people have been arrested during Friday’s protest, the police said. In the late afternoon, some groups of marchers were heard chanting “we shut s*** down” and “these killer cops have got to go.”
Four officers have been injured, and Interim Police Chief Lawrence M. O’Toole confirmed that one was sent to the hospital, AP reported.Four officers have been injured, and Interim Police Chief Lawrence M. O’Toole confirmed that one was sent to the hospital, AP reported.
Earlier at a press conference Friday, O’Toole stated that one officer was knocked off of his bike and another was pinned down on his bike by protesters. Police deployed mace in the direction of the protesters after a water bottle struck an officer.
Throughout Friday's demonstrations, smaller contingents broke off from the larger protest group.Throughout Friday's demonstrations, smaller contingents broke off from the larger protest group.
Protesters pelted a police vehicle with rocks at the old police building near Tucker Boulevard and Clark Avenue, KMOV reported.Protesters pelted a police vehicle with rocks at the old police building near Tucker Boulevard and Clark Avenue, KMOV reported.
The department tweeted a video showing protesters jumping on a police SUV. A child was also seen being led up onto the hood of the vehicle and encouraged to dance on it.The department tweeted a video showing protesters jumping on a police SUV. A child was also seen being led up onto the hood of the vehicle and encouraged to dance on it.
Demonstrators could be seen standing in an intersection near the courthouse where Officer Jason Stockley was acquitted on first-degree murder charges on Friday. Demonstrators could be seen standing in an intersection near the courthouse where former officer Jason Stockley was acquitted on first-degree murder charges Friday.
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and Interim Police Chief O’Toole answered questions about the demonstrations during a news conference. St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and interim Police Chief O’Toole told a news briefing that authorities will try and "keep everything as peaceful as possible."
When asked about how she intended to handle the protests as the day went on, Krewson said authorities will try and "Keep everything as peaceful as possible." O’Toole was asked if he was fearful of Friday’s protests replicating the events that played out during the 2014 Ferguson.
O’Toole responded to a question asking if he was fearful Friday’s protests would be anything like the 2014 Ferguson demonstrations as the day comes to an end. "Of course that's our fear," O’Toole said.
"Of course that's our fear," O’Toole said. He continued by mentioning that four officers have been assaulted already during Friday’s protest. A group of protesters observed a 6-minute moment of silence for Anthony Lamar Smith, whose death was at the center of Friday's acquittal of ex-cop Jason Stockley.
O’Toole also stated that one officer was knocked off of his bike and another was pinned down on his bike by protesters. Police deployed mace in the direction of the protesters after a water bottle struck an officer. Some protesters have also targeted members of the media.
Two protesters seen with rifles in hand were exercising their state-sanctioned open carry rights, Kevin Killeen of KMOX reported. One of the men held his gun while sporting a kevlar vest as he talked to police during the demonstrations on Friday, according to Jesse Bogan of the St. Louis Dispatch. An unnamed freelance videographer working for the Associated Press said a protester came up to him, took his camera, and threw it on the ground. The view finder on the camera broke following the event. The videographer also says he was surrounded by six men who told him to put his camera away or he would be beaten, the AP reported.
Two protesters seen with rifles in hand were exercising their state-sanctioned open carry rights, Kevin Killeen of KMOX reported. One of the men held his gun while sporting a kevlar vest as he talked to police during the demonstrations, according to Jesse Bogan of the St. Louis Dispatch.
A local pizza shop took precautions due to the protests and boarded up its windows.A local pizza shop took precautions due to the protests and boarded up its windows.