New York’s Times Square Is Shut Down As Michael Brown Protestors Clog Streets
Five days after the police fatally shot Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri — a predominately black suburb of St.Louis — the outrage and protests reached New York City’s Times Square last night.
A protest march and vigil swept through the Big Apple along Broadway, culminating in confrontations and blocking traffic in the legendary square.
Tensions were high as a group of marchers protested the shooting of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown pushed against police barricades. Police remained stoic, holding their lines, and eventually tempers and tensions decreased. However, as over a thousand marchers pushed into Times Square, the heart of New York City became congested until it reached a standstill.
The group of Michel Brown shooting protestors chanted, “Hands Up! Don’t Shoot!” in their march towards the square. According to WABC, police allowed the marchers to proceed on their vigil before herding them into a corral at 49th Street and 9th Avenue.
New York Police, not as heavily armed or adorned with anti-riot gear as the police in Ferguson, Missouri were the night after Michael Brown’s fatal shooting, kept the marchers confined behind orange netting and only allowed the crowd to disperse in small groups. Though some arrests were made, the exact number hasn’t been released.
The march in New York City over the death of Michael Brown was only one event in protests that surged through the country yesterday from Houston to Chicago to Los Angeles, according to the Daily Mail. The marches were billed as a National Day of Remembrance for Michael Brown.
Back in Missouri, a black police officer is now in charge of policing the crowds in St. Louis that have gathered daily to protest the shooting of Michael Brown. Captain Ron Johnson walked among a group of marchers in Ferguson, saying:
“I’m not afraid to be in this crowd today.”
The Missouri Highway Patrol Chief said he wants a “new day” and an end to the violence.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has turned security for the Ferguson protests over the shooting death of Michael Brown to the State Highway Patrol. Officials hope that the change in law enforcement will end the days of violence that have occurred ever since Michael Brown was shot and killed by a police officer on Sunday.
Captain Ron Johnson was asked to take over the security for Ferguson after President Obama commented on and condemned the heavy-handed use of tear gas and riot police on the Michael Brown protestors.
The new security approach started when Johnson came amidst the Ferguson marchers around 5:30 pm. He was greeted and hugged by a local pastor, and then gave several speeches to the media about the violence and the Michael Brown shooting.
[Image via Twitter]
