Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon lifted a controversial curfew that loomed over the Ferguson community for two nights, but on the ninth day of continued unrest, police demanded protestors disperse and go home, refusing to let them assemble.
Police lobbed tear gas into the crowd and fired rubber bullets after a small number of protestors allegedly threw bottles at the officers. Gunfire prompted police to order everyone without media credentials to disperse. Eventually those with media credentials were also pushed to the sidelines.
By the end of the day, 31 people, including a Getty photographer, numerous protestors, and a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, were arrested.
I count 4 journalists arrested last night/overnight — Getty photog, two German reporters and @rdevro. Anyone else? Writing CNN story… — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 19, 2014
Hedy Epstein, 90+ Holocaust survivor, just arrested in #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/BoA67N95il — KittyFitzGerald (@kittyFitz50) August 18, 2014
Two others were shot — authorities have not released their names or conditions, but the shootings were reportedly not police involved.
The night’s end was a stark difference to the day’s events. Protests began peacefully, although Ferguson authorities increased restrictions on where and how people could assemble. The QuikTrip, which has become a meeting place for protestors and journalists, was blocked off. Protestors could not be stationary — police told those meeting that they had to keep moving or risk being arrested.
Sadly, as with most nights since unarmed teenager Michael Brown was shot and killed by Officer Darren Wilson, tensions flared, police in tactical gear pushed back against protestors, and many were hurt in the process.
This is what happens when you get hit with tear gas #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/KjhFSSqijO
— Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) August 19, 2014
The St. Louis County Police Department posted photographs of items confiscated during last night’s chaos.
Guns seized tonight by police pic.twitter.com/RU4XEfcOEq
— St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) August 19, 2014
Molotov cocktail seized by police pic.twitter.com/4sR7jRsGEJ
— St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) August 19, 2014
CNN’s Jake Tapper, frustrated with last night’s scene, echoed the sentiments of many residents dealing with the more than week-long unrest.
“Absolutely there have been looters, absolutely over the last nine days there has been violence, but there is nothing going on in this street right now that merits this scene out of Bagram. Nothing.
“So if people wonder why the people of Ferguson, Missouri, are so upset, this is part of the reason. What is this? This doesn’t make any sense.”
On Monday, Nixon deployed the National Guard in Ferguson to help manage the nightly clashes.
We’ll keep you updated with the latest.