Crowds in peaceful St Louis protest

DEMONSTRATORS HAVE linked arms and marched quietly through St Louis city centre in protest over the acquittal of a white former police officer in the killing of a black suspect, following another night of unrest which led to more than 80 arrests.

The latest action follows three days of peaceful protests and three nights of violence in the Missouri city which has been rocked since Friday, when a judge announced he found Jason Stockley not guilty over the 2011 death of Anthony Lamar Smith.

Hundreds of riot police mobilised on Sunday night, arresting more than 80 people and seizing weapons amid reports of property damage and vandalism.

The arrests came after demonstrators ignored orders to disperse, police said.

Interim Police Chief Lawrence O’Toole said at a news conference: “I’m proud to tell you the city of St Louis is safe and the police owned tonight.”

Earlier on Sunday, more than 1,000 people had gathered at police headquarters then marched without trouble through St Louis city centre, the upmarket Central West End, and the trendy Delmar Loop area of nearby University City. Protesters also marched through two shopping malls in a wealthy area of St Louis County. By nightfall, most had gone home.

The 100 or so people who remained grew increasingly agitated as they marched back toward the central area.

Along the way, they knocked over planters, broke windows at a few shops and hotels and scattered plastic chairs at an outdoor venue.

According to police, the demonstrators then sprayed bottles with an unknown substance on officers.