Pepper spray, teargas and batons: clashes between St. Louis protesters and police continue

After a calm start to a night of protests, clashes between police and protesters resumed in the south St. Louis neighborhood of Shaw where 18-year-old Vonerrit D. Myers was shot and killed by police last week.

Several hundred protesters made their way to the area after a demonstration in support of fellow slain teen Michael Brown on the steps of the Ferguson Police Department.

For context, here’s what a protest in support of Mike Brown at the Ferguson Police Department actually feels like to attend:

Police prepared for the movement by setting up roadblocks around the Shaw neighborhood and deploying officers in unmarked cars.

Most parked outside the neighborhood and walked toward the memorial for Myers that has become a second rallying point for protesters in the region.

The group marched through the streets, and ultimately ended up at a QuikTrip gas station in the neighborhood, where protesters blocked the door, forcing a shutdown of operations. Police arrived in SWAT vehicles in full riot gear.

After warning protesters of imminent arrest, police cornered those participating in the sit-in and moved in. As many as 17 people were arrested on the lot, according to St. Louis police. Other reports peg the number of total arrests last night at 19.

Police deployed pepper spray against protesters and members of the media while police cleared the gas station. Around 2 a.m. a wave of tear gas swept across the crowd, though it was not clear where it came from, as no cartridges could be seen. Some speculated that a low-flying police helicopter released the gas.

Photo: Daniel Rivero

Organizers say demonstrations are scheduled to continue on Sunday and beyond.

Daniel Rivero is a producer/reporter for Fusion who focuses on police and justice issues. He also skateboards, does a bunch of arts related things on his off time, and likes Cuban coffee.