Sunday in St. Louis was a repeat of the pattern we’ve seen over and over. A peaceful protest march that lasts through part of the day followed by a late-night turn to rioting and vandalism. You can hear the change in the tone being used by police over the span of about 2 1/2 hours last night:
The demonstrators have returned back to police headquarters on Olive where they continue their peaceful demonstration. #STLVerdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 17, 2017
Group near HQ throwing debris @ officers following a traffic stop. If group cannot be peaceful, they will be ordered to leave. #STLVerdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 18, 2017
Agitators are breaking multiple windows at Olive & 10th. Officers are heading to scene. #STLVerdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 18, 2017
We have reports of significant property damage in Downtown #STL. Will update soon. #STLVerdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 18, 2017
Here’s the start of the vandalism Sunday night:
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: here's the moment vandals began damaging downtown businesses. Courtesy Joanie Gillette @ksdknews https://t.co/VUMR6ylAxL
— Jacob Long (@JacobLongSTL) September 18, 2017
Last night rioters broke up large concrete planters and used the pieces to break windows:
Witnesses say tonight's broken window vandalism downtown was caused by concrete chunks from broken potted plants like these. @ksdknews pic.twitter.com/K7d9uKo3k4
— Jacob Long (@JacobLongSTL) September 18, 2017
This video by the Associated Press shows the rioters doing just that:
You might have noticed in both videos there is one guy walking around with a flag and a shield (at 1:10 in the clip above). He was eventually disarmed by police. The guy was apparently carrying a handgun and a sword:
Officers confiscate weapons, guns, protective gear from a rioter. Suspect was taken into custody. #StLVerdict pic.twitter.com/2rObBhQHu8
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 18, 2017
In the midst of all the other chaos, a speeding car crashed into another driver. Police found masks, guns, and drugs in the speeding car:
2 arrested after speeding car crashes into innocent motorist at 7th & Olive. Guns, drugs, mask found in vehicle. #stlverdict pic.twitter.com/jWP8KX7UKt
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 18, 2017
St. Louis Police eventually made more than 80 arrests last night. The police chief emphasized that officers were in control:
More than 80 arrests. At least 5 weapons seized, sez SLMPD Chief. "We're in control. This is our city and we're going to protect it."
— Robert Patrick (@rxpatrick) September 18, 2017
At one point last night a St. Louis Post-Dispatch photographer heard police chanting “Whose streets, our streets.”
Police just chanted "Whose Streets, our streets" on Tucker Blvd after making arrests
— David Carson (@PDPJ) September 18, 2017
This video clip apparently cut from a livestream caught the incident and was being shared on Twitter by the same photographer.
I spoke with the commander at the scene, he said he did not hear the chant, but said chant was not acceptable, said he would deal with it.
— David Carson (@PDPJ) September 18, 2017
In all, over 120 people have been arrested in 3 days of rioting. KSDK reports the peaceful protesters were marching in the streets again Monday morning. Will we see more rioting tonight?
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