Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Dx-Social Issues-Civil Rights-African American Rights-As Ferguson Protests Spread, So Does Residents' Backlash Around St. Louis
Dx-Social Issues-Civil Rights-African American Rights-As Ferguson Protests Spread, So Does Residents' Backlash Around St. Louis
"When they murdered Mike Brown, to the system it was just another black youth dead," Dix said. "The
people of Ferguson stood up. They stayed in the streets for more than two months. Then they called to
people across the country and put the police murder of black youth in front of everybody. Now what we
need to do is build on that."
Several protesters were arrested during a demonstration at a gas station on Saturday night.
On Sunday night, a large crowd gathered at Chaifetz Arena, where younger protesters interrupted an older
NAACP leader and demanded to hear from younger people who had been on the ground in Ferguson.
"I've been really impressed specifically with the younger people who started organizing," said Justin
Miller, 34, who traveled from North Carolina for the weekend's demonstrations. "For a long time I've
been waiting for the next generation to step up on all areas on social justice. A lot of the older generation
has been trying to hang on to their fight; it was amazing to watch the youth speak up."
After the event at Chaifetz Arena, young demonstrators led a march to the heart of the St. Louis
University campus, where a handful of activists remained to occupy the clock tower of the Jesuit school
overnight. An activist, who would only give his name as EJ, said the group targeted the school because "it
is a mostly all-white university known for its successful law school" and there was "no better place to put
the movement on the forefront than here."
Students who left their dorm rooms to join protesters were celebrated with cheers and applause. Dennis
Kress, 18, a SLU student who joined the marchers, ditched his midterm studying to absorb the
atmosphere.
"This is history and I don't plan on going to sleep tonight. Hopefully, my professors will understand,"
Kress said.
On Monday afternoon, the "Occupy SLU" demonstrators remained, using a tent to shelter themselves
from the rain. Next to the camp stood an upside-down American flag, which upset a student on his way to
class.
He approached the flag, grabbed it and tried to flip it right-side-up, until an activist intervened and asked
what he was doing.
"I'm sorry, I have to. My brother is a sergeant in the military," the student said as he held the flagpole.
Nearby, the father of a student -- who said he was on campus out of concern for his child's safety while
protesters were there -- interjected. "What was wrong with what he was trying to do?" he asked.
"Mind your own business," the activist responded. The father of the student declined an interview, but
said he was uncomfortable with the presence of the protesters.
This article has been updated with a comment from St. Louis police, saying that the man who claimed to
be a St. Louis officer isn't.
Mariah Stewart reported from St. Louis, and Ryan J. Reilly reported from Washington, D.C.