The ACLU of Missouri sent a letter to law enforcement agencies asking for restraint in case of protests over the pending grand jury decision of whether to bring charges against the police officer who shot Michael Brown in Ferguson in August. The ACLU wants the police to respect lawful protest and the right of the press to cover any protest or disturbance. (American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, November 13, 2014)
With the decision of the indictment expected anytime this week, police are preparing for protests in Ferguson and major cities across the country. (Breitbart, November 16, 2014, by Warner Todd Huston)
The St. Louis County police chief had claimed this week that during protests the intent was not to use force against anyone exercising their First Amendment rights, that no rubber bullets were shot at protesters and only criminals were targeted with tear gas. (The Guardian, November 17, 2014, by Jon Swaine)