St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger declared a state of emergency in Ferguson, Mo., today, urging County Police Chief Jon Belmar to “exercise all powers and duties necessary to preserve order, prevent crimes, and protect the life and property of our citizens,” the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
The state of emergency comes after the arrests of at least 56 protesters, including prominent activists Deray Mckesson and Johnetta Elzie and famed writer Cornel West.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,
“On Sunday, more than 1,000 protesters marched peacefully to commemorate the anniversary of Brown's death, before the scene descended into violence overnight, with multiple shot fired and at least three people wounded.
Kinman, dean at the church, told demonstrators their demands include the disbandment of the Ferguson Police Department. "What we believe is that what happened last night shows the necessity of action of the (U.S. Department of Justice). Despite the reports and studies that have been done, very little has changed.”
Read more from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch here.
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