Armed militia group ‘Oath Keepers’ in streets of Ferguson draw criticism

By early Monday evening, hundreds of people had gathered again along West Florissant, the thoroughfare that was the site of massive protests and rioting after Brown was fatally shot last year in a confrontation with a Ferguson police officer. More than 20 people were arrested.

Stenger said “last night’s violence and unrest in the City of Ferguson, and the potential for harm to persons and property, I am exercising my authority as county executive to issue a state of emergency, effective immediately”.

Officers returned fire and critically wounded Tyrone Harris Jr., 18, who remains hospitalized. The tactical operations unit that was on standby was never activated, nor did law enforcement deploy tear gas or smoke canisters, police said.

He / she famous which the even though the reps ended up riding in a unmarked vehicle, but not furnished entirely police force outfits, they will did use police force vests. The Oath Keepers organization says its members – all former military, police and first responders – pledge to “defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic”.

Harris remains in critical condition. “Fear the Oath Keepers are needed now more than ever – especially in Ferguson, Mo”.

Outrage at the deaths of Brown and a series of others killed by police in disputed circumstances have fuelled the Black Lives Matter movement and a national conversation about racism and police tactics.

Police also say two men were arrested during a protest in Chicago in solidarity with demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri, around the anniversary of Michael Brown’s death. Police said they made no arrests. They also applauded law enforcement officers, who they said “exemplified respect, community engagement and professionalism under extremely hard circumstances”.

Traffic moves freely as smaller group of protesters gather along West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson, Mo., Tuesday, August 11, 2015. A few times, chants broke out or a protester strayed into the street, but as night fell across the busy thoroughfare, there was little resemblance to the tension of previous rallies.

Oath Keepers members previously showed up in Ferguson in November after a grand jury declined to indict Wilson in Brown’s death, saying they stationed themselves along several downtown rooftops to protect businesses from rioters and looters. He said members plan to remain in Ferguson “at least through the end of the week”. Johnson has assisted, but Belmar was clearly in charge Monday and Tuesday.