JEFFERSON CITY — At approximately 2:30 a.m., on Thursday, March 12, two officers of the law, manning a peaceful demonstration of citizen’s 1st Amendment rights, were, tragically, and in an act of cowardice, attacked while performing their duty. Non-violent demonstrators were gathered outside the Ferguson Police Department to express frustration following the murder of Michael Brown and last week’s release of the Dept. of Justice’s report on the Ferguson Police Department.
“I have participated in different protests,” said Sen. Nasheed, D-St. Louis, “That does not mean that I condone such a cowardly attack. No, on the contrary, I fully believe that the perpetrators of such a heinous act must be swiftly brought to justice. These men were doing their jobs, protecting the lives and liberties of those gathered at the police station. They did nothing to deserve such brutality other than wear a badge. And that badge does not make a person an enemy any more so than the color of a man’s skin makes him a criminal.”
Many sources say three shots were fired, even though only two law enforcement officials were downed: one shot in the face, the other in the shoulder. Both of these men have been released from the hospital. “I wish these brave officers a speedy recovery,” she said.
“We have fought so hard for progress over the last few months. I will not allow this cowardly act to stifle that progress. We can only move forward together,” Sen. Nasheed said. “I hope the perpetrator is quickly apprehended and brought to justice, so the focus can once again be on the correct topic — repairing the police-community relationship, and healing St. Louis.” |
