'West Florissant closed!' Protests restricted, school canceled at #Ferguson trouble spot [photos]

https://twitter.com/dvnyella/status/501385154347024384

Photo right now: police close off West Florissant at Ferguson and this group of police walking towards QT pic.twitter.com/1xsKW23PzF

— Ben Boyd (@BenBoydKMOX) August 17, 2014

In advance of the National Guard’s arrival, the city of Ferguson, Missouri, has shut down a portion of West Florissant Avenue. The commercial thoroughfare has been the scene of some of the worst looting, chaos, and gunfire the past week.

https://twitter.com/aaltman82/status/501371834755842050

Portion of West Florissant closed indefinitely. http://t.co/c1CLhffJ1O

— KSDK News (@ksdknews) August 18, 2014

Now shots around Canfield, down West Florissant from separate police scene at Chambers. Several instances of gunfire tonight, none from cops

— Charles Jaco (@charlesjaco1) August 18, 2014

Protestors are yelling at police at Mobile on West Florissant Avenue https://t.co/g94c9Z0JCf

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 18, 2014

Protesters are unhappy that “static” protests that have clogged the street and threatened public safety have been banned. Sidewalk marches are still allowed.

Police say static protests will not be allowed today on West Florissant. Marches along the sidewalk, but not gatherings. #Ferguson

— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 18, 2014

A local school district also announced closures to protect the safety of students.

Ferguson Florissant School District is closed again. This situation has been devastating in so many ways. God please intercede!

— Tonya Clinton Ph.D. (@rulrn) August 18, 2014

One of the terrible side effects of all the chaos in #Ferguson is that the start of school keeps getting pushed back. http://t.co/4MwYIYjFtV

— John Nolan (@John_G_Nolan) August 18, 2014

A few responsible citizens tried to clean up last night’s mess.

People are out cleaning up on West Florissant this morning. #ferguson pic.twitter.com/bcLwlIaWRt

— UrbanReview ST LOUIS (@urbanreviewstl) August 18, 2014

https://twitter.com/MR_READYMADE/status/501372418149982211

It is nice to see B and W people of #Ferguson getting out together trying to clean up the mess along West Florissant.

— ???Plazzman??? (@Plazzmatic) August 18, 2014

Unfortunately, given some of the angry threats on Twitter, tomorrow’s mess might be far worse.

https://twitter.com/Whoisthisguy_1/status/501378539292082177

https://twitter.com/LoveKeysh/status/500900525454680064

This man gets it: The “protests” have succeeded in impoverishing and threatening the security and livelihoods of productive, working people in the community.

The ppl messin west Florissant up dnt realize they messin with ppl money man! Target been closing early all week! NO HOURS!

— Jennings Finest ? (@Ced_Chamberlin) August 18, 2014

“Sad” is an understatement.

Finally decided to drive down west Florissant seen the shit for my own eyes this so sad man

— Ronisia (@Ronisia_Raquel) August 18, 2014