Missouri state police Captain Ronald Johnson on Thursday walked with protesters in Ferguson, Mo. and talked with them about the situation.
Johnson took control of law enforcement in Ferguson on Thursday and said that he would review resources following concerns over police response to protests in the town.
Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowery was at the protest and documented Johnson’s interactions with community members:
Cpt. Johnson of Highway Patrol hugging residents as they pass during march. “I grew up here!” he notes. #ferguson
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Cpt. Johnson WALKED in the march. “We’re all in this together…we’re not in this for fear, to intimidate.” pic.twitter.com/cAaCViwBB1
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
“When I see a young lady cry because of fear of this uniform, that’s a problem. We need to solve that” – Cpt. Johnson #ferguson
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
So we won’t see large police presence tonight? *Cpt. Johnson looks around* https://t.co/6cXxWgnLL5
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Johnson says they are going to provide media staging areas. This is night and day from every other night this week. Night and day #ferguson
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
“I’ve assigned all police assigned to this detail to take their gas masks off,” – Cpt. Johnson #ferguson
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
“I’m not afraid to be in this crowd today, that’s why I walk up front (in the march)” – Cpt. Johnson “hopefully they’ll be some healing”
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Johnson: will not tolerating looting, also won’t tolerate “citizens not having ability to speak their minds, having…rights violated”
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
“Thank you so much for coming out here tonight,” woman says to Johnson, almost in tears pic.twitter.com/Q6kS96bCM4
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
“We’re gonna get better” Johnson says.
“That’s all I ask for,” responds Karen Wood
#ferguson
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
I do not recognized the Ferguson I am in currently.
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
The march doubles back. Johnson walks to front, stops them.
“Just wanna know where you’re going”
“Quick trip than stopping”
“Ok! Go ahead”
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
I’ve been here since Monday afternoon. At no point have officers mixed/mingled/chatted with protesters – until tonight.
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Can’t overstate change in tone
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Hundreds peacefully protesting. Leader says about police: “they respect us, let’s respect them.” #ferguson https://t.co/t032gQaNBy
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Will stop waxing poetic long enough to note sun still up, night is young. But the change in tone on ground right now is stunning #ferguson
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
I wish him & the town the best of luck. The tone alone sets him apart.
THIS IS WHAT A COP SHOULD LOOK LIKE: smart, caring, competent, tough, unafraid.
And every single police officer, no matter which department, on the streets in Ferguson for the past three nights should face subpoena and investigation, under oath, or lose his job. Anybody found guilty of civil or criminal misconduct should GO TO JAIL.
That is such good news.
No helmet, no gas mask, no body armor.Wearing his Highway Patrol uniform.This also speaks volumes
Quite a striking change. Looking at the pictures, there just seems something…different… about Cpt. Johnson compared to the town and county police in charge earlier. Can’t quite put my finger on it…