Due to a return to heightened tensions and looting (which locals helped to prevent), Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has imposed a curfew on the town of Ferguson. Citizens will not be allowed on the streets from 12am until 5am, starting Saturday, August 16.
Reports the New York Times:
“This is not to silence the people of Ferguson, but to address those who are drowning out the voice of the people with their actions,” Mr. Nixon, a Democrat, told reporters and residents at a Ferguson church. “We will not allow a handful of looters to endanger the rest of this community. If we’re going to achieve justice, we must first have and maintain peace.”
Mr. Nixon added: “This is a test. The eyes of the world are watching.”
Capt. Ronald S. Johnson, the state Highway Patrol commander whose officers have overseen public security in Ferguson since Thursday, said the curfew would begin Saturday night. He did not say how long the curfew would be in force or whether violators would be arrested.
Tempers reignited after the events of Friday, August 15, when the Ferguson Police Department finally revealed that it was Officer Darren Wilson who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown. Also released that day was a police report and video that revealed Brown to be a suspect in a strong arm robbery.
However, later in the day, Chief Thomas Jackson admitted that Wilson was unaware that Brown was a suspect when he stopped the teen for walking in the middle of the street.
To many, the actions of Ferguson PD amounted to a smear campaign against the dead teenager.
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Photo: AP Photo
