‘Ferguson October’ Demonstrators Rally Against Police Brutality in St. Louis
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Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images(ST. LOUIS) — Thousands of demonstrators gathered in St. Louis this weekend as part of growing civil rights protests against police brutality.
Police shut down streets as participants chanted, sang, and gave marching orders to crowds.
The protests coincide with high-profile sporting events this weekend as the St. Louis Cardinals are playing post-season baseball and the city hosts Monday Night Football.
Law enforcement officials say they are committed to keeping the streets safe but are aware that both events are magnets for demonstrators.
Fatal police-involved shootings have stoked racial tensions in the area, following the August death of unarmed teen Michael Brown and the most recent death of Vonderrit Deondre Myers, another 18-year-old black teen who authorities say was armed.
“We all fighting for the same reason, we all here for the same cause…we’re trying to get justice and we’re tired and we’re fed up with the police brutality with what’s going on,” one protester said.
Saturday’s march is expected to end at the historic courthouse in St. Louis, famous for when Dred Scott fought for his rights in 1857.
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