Protesters march after policeman’s killing acquittal
ST LOUIS: Activists marched through two upmarket shopping malls and into the streets of St Louis yesterday, marking a second day of demonstrations against the acquittal of a white police officer in the fatal shooting of a black man.
Several hundred people gathered near Washington University after dark to cap off a day of rallies across St Louis and a nearby suburb that remained peaceful.
That contrasted with Saturday night (NZ time), when 10 police officers were hurt and 33 people arrested in demonstra tions after Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson acquitted former St Louis police officer Jason Stockley (36), of firstdegree murder in the shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith (24).
‘‘We don’t want to see property destruction or see people getting hurt,’’ Elad Gross, a 29yearold St Louis civil rights lawyer, said as activists gathered in a park. ‘‘But this is a protest that addresses injustices not only happening here in St Louis but around the country.’’
The classic rock band U2 cancelled a concert scheduled for last night in St Louis, and singer Ed Sheeran did the same for his show scheduled for today, citing security concerns.
‘‘Deeply saddened at what has happened in St Louis and having to cancel our show tonight,’’ U2 singer Bono said in a post on Instagram. ‘‘I found myself reading Dr King’s speech from the National Cathedral and asking myself, is this 1968 or 2017?’’
The latest verdict came about three years after rioting broke out in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson when a black teenager was shot dead by a white police officer. That incident touched off a nationwide soulsearching over law enforcement’s use of force against AfricanAmericans, the mentally ill and other groups.
After Friday’s (US time) ruling, about 600 chanting protesters marched from the courthouse through downtown St Louis, some of them holding ‘‘Black Lives Matter’’ signs.
Later, some broke windows at a library and two restaurants and threw bricks and bottles at officers, who used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the throng. At one point, demonstrators threw rocks and paint at the home of St Louis’ mayor, police said. — Reuters