Cornel West Among Demonstrators Arrested During Protest At Ferguson Police Station

Photos by Justin Baragona

PoliticusUSA’s Justin Baragona was on the scene Monday during a protest at the Ferguson police station that led to the arrest of at least a dozen protesters, including Dr. Cornel West. The protest was part of Ferguson October’s planned Moral Monday demonstration. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the nearby Wellspring Church and marched a few blocks to the police station. A rally then ensued on the steps of the police station, where a number of speakers used a megaphone to speak out to the crowd and denounce racial prejudice and police brutality.

Even though the rally was a peaceful and solemn affair, broken up at times by chanting or singing, dozens of police officers showed up decked out in riot gear. The officers tried to keep themselves hidden by mobilizing behind the nearby fire station. However, legal observers and media found them word spread through the crowd. Eventually, the law enforcement officers came out and made a line in the station’s parking lot. Anybody that crossed the police line was subject to arrest.

As rain fell on the crowd, a number of demonstrators, including West, who was the keynote speaker at an event the night before, approached the line. After they attempted to pass through the line police began arresting them. At least nine were initially arrested during this demonstration. After these arrests, other protesters were arrested as they too attempted to pass through the line. By the time he left, Justin had witnessed at least a dozen arrests.

Below is a photo gallery from the event: