Ferguson P.D. Chief Marches with Riot-Cop Escort in Protest Against Him
Hours after apologizing to Michael Brown's family, Ferguson, Mo., police chief Thomas Jackson attempted to join a group of demonstrators who were actively calling for his resignation, NBC reports. It's hard to believe, but it didn't go over well.
Yesterday, Jackson released a video apologizing to Michael Brown's family for the death of their son, to protesters for failing to protect their right to peacefully assemble, and to Ferguson's black community for losing their trust. According to NBC and the Associated Press, wearing street clothes, he attempted to join a march outside Ferguson police headquarters late last night. "All those things that are causing mistrust are being evaluated and we are going to be making changes," he told those assembled.
People were pissed, and things turned ugly almost immediately, according to St. Louis alderman and tireless Ferguson documenter Antonio French:
"I don't think he was marching with the protesters more than 30 seconds before the riot cops came out into the crowd and tried to get themselves closer to him and protect him," said French, a St. Louis elected official who has been following demonstrations since the Aug. 9 shooting and who supports calls for Jackson's resignation. "Just them being out there pushing started stuff — it's a complete misread of the situation. His very presence agitated the crowd."
For the record: This is the second riot this police chief has incited. He needs to resign. https://t.co/HBIxtcLPsU #Ferguson
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) September 26, 2014
"Show me what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like!" #ferguson https://t.co/XRojgXON1c
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) September 26, 2014
Police made several arrests in the ensuing chaos, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
[Image via AP]