Michael Brown Shooting: Protests calmer than previous nights, 47 arrested
Peaceful protests against the shooting death of Michael Brown once again devolved into arrests and confrontations with the police in Ferguson, MO.
The New York Times reports that at least 47 people were arrested. In a change of tactics from the previous week and a half of police actions, there were no large deployments of tear gas. Officers instead carried cannisters of pepper spray.
Another tactical shift came in the way the police apprehended protesters. Whereas they previously marched down the street in long lines stretching an entire street, arresting any who crossed their path, the police were seen entering the crowd and arresting single protesters they had singled out for throwing bottles or other agitated behavior.
Many had expected the protests to be more violent than the previous nights after police in nearby St. Louis killed a mentally disturbed young man carrying a knife.
Images on social media showed this was not the case, as people gave out snacks and water to protestors.
Free pizza for #Ferguson protesters. Free roses everywhere. Some ppl still angry about strict protest rules. pic.twitter.com/Nq726A7LSn
— Ray Downs (@RayDowns) August 20, 2014
Jameila White, who used to live in #Ferguson, handing out water, cookies and juice. pic.twitter.com/Xt6395pGg1 — Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 19, 2014
The police reported that there were no gunshots or Molotov cocktails, common occurrences in the previous nights of protest.
The generally peaceful vibe was corroborated by those on the ground.
All around, a messy situation. That said, officers dispersed people largely without force for first time in all of this
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 20, 2014
But, given the arrests, the night was not totally free of tension either.
While there was no tear gas deployed last night and almost the whole day was peaceful, there were moments... https://t.co/KWGB2gS7Ds — Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 20, 2014
