St. Louis County residents are still protesting and engaging in civil disobedience a day after Monday’s announcement by Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch that the Grand Jury decided to not indict Officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of teenaged African-American college student, Michael Brown.
Minutes after the live broadcasted announcement, thousands of protesters that had gathered in various places around Ferguson, Clayton and Shaw Missouri became enraged and some of them directed this anger towards looting, burning cop cars, and setting more than 20 buildings on fire. Police arrested more than 60 people during last nights unrest, after tear gas, flashbangs and less-than-lethal shotgun rounds failed to disperse the crowds.
People around the country and extremely displeased with the Grand Jury’s decision. The National Bar Association has issued a statement calling for the indictment of Officer Darren Wilson after reviewing the evidence that was released to the public following the announcement. There are reports of protests in over a dozen major US cities as of 8:00 p.m. EST.
National Guard forces have been more than tripled since last night in St. Louis County. Several local public officials made statements today criticizing the delayed response of National Guard troops as buildings burned to the ground all along West Florissant Avenue last night.
