Riot police break up protest over verdict
ST LOUIS: More than 80 people were arrested yesterday as protests in St Louis, over the acquittal of a white policeman who had shot a black man, turned violent for a third night running.
Police in riot gear used pepper spray and arrested demonstrators who had defied orders to disperse following a larger, peaceful protest.
After nightfall, a small group remained and disorder ensued, following the pattern of the two previous days.
Protesters smashed windows and attempted to block a ramp to an interstate highway, police and witnesses said.
Officers tackled some protesters who defied police orders and used pepper spray before starting the mass arrests.
At a news conference, Mayor Lyda Krewson noted that ‘‘the vast majority of protesters are nonviolent,’’ and blamed the trouble on ‘‘a group of agitators’’.
Acting police commissioner Lawrence O’Toole struck a hard stance, saying: ‘‘We’re in control, this is our city and we’re going to protect it.’’
The protests followed the acquittal of former police officer Jason Stockley (36) of firstdegree murder in the 2011 shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith (24).
The violence evoked memories of the riots following the 2014 shooting of a black teenager by a white officer in nearby Ferguson, Missouri.
The gathering was the largest of the three nights with more than 1000 protesters. Police in turn deployed their largest show of force, as officers in riot gear marched through the streets.
Smith was shot in his car after Stockley and his partner chased him following what authorities said was a drug deal. Prosecutors argued that Stockley planted a weapon in Smith’s car, but the judge believed the gun belonged to Smith. — Reuters