ANIMALS…….. ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)- What began as a ‘March to the Arch’ quickly changed early Wednesday morning as protesters stormed the front doors of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department headquarters. Their plan was to occupy the department for four and a half hours. The demonstrators refused to leave until those demands were met. Around 10:30a.m., police say roughly 75 protesters participated in the march downtown before gathering outside of police headquarters. Nearly 15 entered the lobby and read a list of demands to department officials. Those demands included, a meeting with Chief Sam Dotson, Mayor Francis Slay or Board of Aldermen President, Lewis Reed. The protesters also want an immediate termination of Officer’s Flannery and Hayes. Their request also include amnesty for protesters who have been charged with non-violent offenses, a creation of a diverse citizens review board with subpoena power along with a seven day release of all information regarding police shootings not limited to transparent release of unedited videos and audio. Deray McKesson, education professional and a Teach For America alum posted several Vine videos and images via Twitter as the demonstration took place. Protesters also placed hundreds of eviction notices along the outside of the building. Signed, ‘We the People,’ the Eviction Notice read: “We are informing you that the police department is scheduled to be reclaimed by its citizens today, December 31, 2014.” Protesters also outlined a list of reasons why they feel a power shift should take place. Once police made an attempt to remove the demonstrators from the building, the scene turned chaotic. Several people tried to rush through the doors of the department. Several demonstrators were pepper sprayed. Five individuals, including four females and one male, were arrested. Those five individuals will be charged with Trespassing and Peace Disturbance. The male is also being charged with Third Degree Assault for assaulting a City Marshall inside of the Police Headquarters lobby.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 21:13:10 +0000
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