Antonio French describes how protesters tried to stop looters Live
I left the scene at 4AM, after police disbanded their line and almost all protesters and looters were gone from West Florissant. #Ferguson
Aug. 16, 2014
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I 1st left the area around 11:30. Things were peaceful & rainy. I took my wife home & was hoping for a good night's sleep. Then got a text.
Aug. 16, 2014
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The text said, "Uh I think something popped off at the liquor store in ferguson". I put back on my clothes and raced down W. Florisant.
Aug. 16, 2014
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By the time I arrived, the police were gone, as were the tear gas and smoke. Based on previous nights, that seemed strange. #Ferguson
Aug. 16, 2014
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A photojournalist friend told me what they saw a few minutes before...
Aug. 16, 2014
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They said after a tense standoff following an individual throwing a bottle at an officer, police were pulling back...
Aug. 16, 2014
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They said as police and the tanks were DRIVING AWAY they shot tear gas into the crowd, "Like a big fuck you," they said. #Ferguson
Aug. 16, 2014
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Based on later conversations, I don't know if that use of tear gas was authorized. But sure did make getting ppl calmed down more difficult.
Aug. 16, 2014
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When I arrived, I saw the men-to-boy ratio was not favorable. There wasn't the same number of leaders on the scene as the night before.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Then another standoff. Myself and others tried to hold back the crowd. I pleaded for both sides to stand down. http://t.co/0D8qOnxdxV
Aug. 16, 2014
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"We appreciate you, but we don't need you," one of the young men told me. He said they were ready for war. "We sick of this shit." #Ferguson
Aug. 16, 2014
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I really was about to lose hope of being able to keep the two sides apart. Then Anthony Shahid arrived. His presence helped redirect them.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Shahid said something to 1 of the men who I saw as being a real instigator of escalation. Whatever he said, he was on our team immediately.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Shahid then got the crowd to agree to hold their position while he and I went over to see Captain Johnson.
Aug. 16, 2014
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We agreed that another violent confrontation could be avoided if we got the crowd to move away from the police line back to Ferguson Ave.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Shahid also got police to agree to stop shouting instructions on the loudspeaker, which agitated the crowd, making our task more difficult.
Aug. 16, 2014
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We went back. It took some speeches, 1-on-1 conversations, some hugs, some gentle pushes, even a line of interlocked arms to move them back.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Others helping to push back the crowd included @Patricialicious and some strong young people determined to keep the peace.
Aug. 16, 2014
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The line did get back to Ferguson Ave, where it stayed the rest of the night. Objective #1: Avoiding another violent confrontation ☑️
Aug. 16, 2014
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But then some of the troublemakers, no longer supported by the crowd, started gathering separately on a nearby parking lot.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Next thing you hear is glass break. Some run through the busted door of a beauty supply store. Immediately, some ppl run to block them.
Aug. 16, 2014
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I'm really proud of those who ran to block looters. They tried to redirect back to the chant "Hands up! Don't shoot!" http://t.co/dARQl1xTyx
Aug. 16, 2014
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After peace had been restored there, another ruckus on the lot of Ferguson Market. Looters pulled off the plywood and entered.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Again, protestors quickly arrived and block the entrance. I got in the middle. "We are better than this," I told them. This isn't protest.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Protestors secured Ferguson Market for that time. Most of the crowd of troublemakers moved further down West Florissant, towards the QT.
Aug. 16, 2014
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I reconnected w/Shahid to discuss strategy. We knew, given the mood, even a small group of police coming to secure stores would lead to riot
Aug. 16, 2014
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We heard about guys w/guns and large Molotov cocktails ready. So to avoid violence, the ppl here had secure the businesses as best we could.
Aug. 16, 2014
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With the beauty supply and Ferguson market secured for the moment, the troublemakers moved down towards Sam's Market.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Aug. 16, 2014
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I'm not going to lie. This sight really broke my heart. I was so disappointed in these people. And I got out my car and told them as much.
Aug. 16, 2014
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By this time it was just around 2AM. Still too many troublemakers. Still too much anger. Still too many weapons. Still too few grown men.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Now it was kind of a waiting game. How long before the troublemakers just go home? We knew it was going to be a long night.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Quick note: I think Shahid is close to 60. I know he'd been awake since 5AM when he wakes up for prayer. This wouldn't be over till after 4.
Aug. 16, 2014
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I want to be clear: Police not coming in at this point -- even with the looting -- was a good thing. It would've gotten very violent.
Aug. 16, 2014
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I began hearing reports of threats to some of the journalists who were trying to record the troublemakers. Also some plans to set fires.
Aug. 16, 2014
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I heard that they were really determined to set Sam's Market and Ferguson Market on fire.
Aug. 16, 2014
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It became so clear the awfulness of the situation. Communities need police. But here & now, the slightest police presence enrages people.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Soon looters overran the group guarding Sam's. Soon after that we heard they started to set it on fire. The young guy with me ran towards.
Aug. 16, 2014
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That young man ran top speed into the broken glass opening into Sam's Market, where some smoke and a small flame could be seen.
Aug. 16, 2014
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When I arrived he had an armful of grape soda 2-litter bottles & was pouring it on the small flame. I grabbed one of the bottles and helped.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Still not fully satisfied, the troublemakers hopped in their cars & started doing donuts in the now completely empty lanes of W. Florissant.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Others started taking license plates off their cars. "They're going to Walmart," someone said. And soon, after more car tricks, they left.
Aug. 16, 2014
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The police w/their assault weapons, tank-like vehicles, and gas bombs, held their line and had not left yet. Only a few people remained.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Then out of nowhere a white Suburban with all it windows down sped quickly up W. Florissant past our line and towards the police...
Aug. 16, 2014
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Police raised their rifles and trained them on the vehicle as it quickly approached and then suddenly stopped just a few yards from police.
Aug. 16, 2014
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"Hey! Hey! Hey! WTF?!" and "Brother, what are you doing?!" could be heard from the crowd. The vehicle began to back up slowly.
Aug. 16, 2014
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As he backed up past me and then began making a U-turn to go back where he came from, I could see a shiny silver handgun in his right hand.
Aug. 16, 2014
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Quick note: My out-of-town followers should know that in the State of Missouri it is legal to drive around with your handgun.
Aug. 16, 2014
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It was nearing 4AM. The street was bare and I had heard a report that indeed they did go to Walmart. Soon police began to leave the area.
Aug. 16, 2014
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I was exhausted. A lot of us exchanged handshakes and hugs. Then I hopped in my car and drove home, saddened by the lost #PeaceInFerguson.
Aug. 16, 2014
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