It’s been a month since unrest hit Ferguson, Mo. following the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson, but residents and activists calling for the arrest of Wilson haven’t ended their demonstrations.
On Wednesday, protestors marching in the name of Brown attempted to shut down rush-hour traffic on Interstate 70, but were met with throngs of officers from St. Louis County and St. Louis City police officers.
Protest. Standoff. #Ferguson http://t.co/rYs1aWbiJ8 pic.twitter.com/vYXfojxP8c
— deray mckesson (@deray) September 10, 2014
RIGHT NOW: A view of the #Ferguson Michael Brown protests via @Bommaritoauto SkyFOX helicopter pic.twitter.com/rT7nn0KW52”
— Kyle Mason (@OpTic_ISON) September 10, 2014
Looks like police are closing EB Hanley ramp from 70. Protestors still gathering. 70 flowing slow. pic.twitter.com/pExJFxCbWk — Casey Nolen KSDK (@CaseyNolen) September 10, 2014
Police say anyone crossing this pink line on exit ramp will be arrested. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/h9L7lcOpnu — Casey Nolen KSDK (@CaseyNolen) September 10, 2014
Now nose to nose w police on Hanley. Arrest warnings continue. #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/CtV5EiTuUs
— Casey Nolen KSDK (@CaseyNolen) September 10, 2014
Residents and media on the scene reported that the number of law enforcement officers easily surpassed that of the 150 protestors gathered at the Interstate.
Overheard on the Ferguson livefeed: “There are way more police than there are protesters.” I’ve counted at least nine arrests.
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) September 10, 2014
In the end, 32 people were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly. Four were charged with assault on law enforcement officers.
Earlier today…“@kodacohen: Arrests made by Mo. Hwy Patrol during sit-in on Hanley Road near I-70. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/wK2UfUffYc” — Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) September 10, 2014
Some arrested and released protestors say they don’t know their charges & weren’t given paper work. #I70Shutdown pic.twitter.com/XJ6y2YYuBj — Casey Nolen KSDK (@CaseyNolen) September 11, 2014
“@JimDalrympleII: Police now arresting a woman at the #Ferguson protest pic.twitter.com/iLK4UIg30q” it takes this many of em???
— Blair Waldorf (@hello_sailor) September 10, 2014
Police say no one was injured during the three-hour stand-off. Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Al Nothum, however, did tell media that officers were pelted with rocks and water bottles.
“People didn’t get to shut the interstate down, so I think we can call it a success,” Nothum said.
But residents maintain that their goal was met — to bring attention to the fact that Wilson hasn’t been arrested and an unarmed teenager is dead.
Mauye Macon, 29, of Normandy, made an identical observation a few yards from the staffed police lines and law enforcement vehicles that choked off the street near the northwest corner of the North Hanley MetroLink Station parking lot.
“We didn’t have to block (the highway),” Macon said. “(The police) did it for us. Thank you. Mission accomplished.”
We’ll keep you updated with the latest from Ferguson.
SOURCE: STLToday, Twitter | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty