The Ferguson, Mo., police department said Wednesday that those protesting after the police shooting of an African-American teen should disperse by dusk because “those who wish to co-opt peaceful protests and turn them into violent demonstrations have been able to do so over the past several days in the evening hours.”
Since Sunday evening, protests over the police shooting have seen officers shooting tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd. There have also been reports of gunshots fired at police. Brown was shot this Saturday during a confrontation with police. Local and federal authorities are investigating the shooting.
“The city of Ferguson mourns the loss of Michael Brown’s life that occurred this past Saturday,” the department said Wednesday. “We understand members of our community, and those nationwide, are grieving with us. We have worked diligently to provide an opportunity for our residents to both grieve and voice frustration through prayer vigils and peaceful protests.”
“We ask that any groups wishing to assemble in prayer or in protest do so only during daylight hours in an organized and respectful manner,” the department said. “We further ask all those wishing to demonstrate or assemble to disperse well before the evening hours to ensure the safety of the participants and the safety of our community.”
“Unfortunately, those who wish to co-opt peaceful protests and turn them into violent demonstrations have been able to do so over the past several days during the evening hours,” it continued. “These events are not indicative of the City of Ferguson or its residents.”
The full statement is below.
New statement from #Ferguson police on shooting of #MichaelBrown ht @abake6 pic.twitter.com/bGeRVUVQDO
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 13, 2014
Wow. Really?
Oh, well, then open fire then.
maybe if youm turn over all the gun totein azzholes you hired …and stop shooting the black populace cause well its just what you do them maybe you can speak to the viloence goin on…take care of your own house before you critisize others
Are the MO police REALLY that fucking stupid? In the age of the Internet and social media, to put out a statement like this is incredibly stupid and insulting. You send basically what are SWAT teams out to meet unarmed protesters who are pissed off because you fucked up in the first place. Do you honestly think this evasive shit is going to fly. I expect a lot less violence - and there was very little in the first place, except from the police - and a lot more protesters. Tell me, MO police, how many officers did you scrape off the ground and send to the morgue?
I guess that’s kind of like saying that the Ferguson PD has been co-opted by deadly assassins and white supremacists.
“Unfortunately, those who wish to co-opt peaceful police forces and turn them into violent death squads have been able to do so over the past several decades during the daytime and evening hours.”