As Twitchy reported this morning, looting broke out again in Ferguson, Mo., after the Missouri State Highway Patrol ordered local law enforcement to stand down. Reporters conveniently changed their tune — from praising the Highway Patrol’s kinder-and-gentler law enforcement approach to indignantly asking where the police were last night as thugs broke windows and grabbed fistfuls of hair weaves and cell phones.
But St. Louis alderman Antonio French, who has diligently documented the scene on Twitter and Vine, expressed the view that Ferguson was better off without a police presence. Here’s French’s timeline starting at 7:17 am this morning:
After peace had been restored there, another ruckus on the lot of Ferguson Market. Looters pulled off the plywood and entered.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
Again, protestors quickly arrived and block the entrance. I got in the middle. "We are better than this," I told them. This isn't protest.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
Protestors secured Ferguson Market for that time. Most of the crowd of troublemakers moved further down West Florissant, towards the QT.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
I reconnected w/Shahid to discuss strategy. We knew, given the mood, even a small group of police coming to secure stores would lead to riot
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
We heard about guys w/guns and large Molotov cocktails ready. So to avoid violence, the ppl here had secure the businesses as best we could.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
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With the beauty supply and Ferguson market secured for the moment, the troublemakers moved down towards Sam's Market.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
By the time I arrived, looters were already in the building. pic.twitter.com/gnyOZfgtIg
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
I'm not going to lie. This sight really broke my heart. I was so disappointed in these people. And I got out my car and told them as much.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
Soon some protestors arrived and tried to secure Sam's Market too.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
By this time it was just around 2AM. Still too many troublemakers. Still too much anger. Still too many weapons. Still too few grown men.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
Now it was kind of a waiting game. How long before the troublemakers just go home? We knew it was going to be a long night.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
Quick note: I think Shahid is close to 60. I know he'd been awake since 5AM when he wakes up for prayer. This wouldn't be over till after 4.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
And then he posted the tweet featured at the top of this post:
I want to be clear: Police not coming in at this point — even with the looting — was a good thing. It would've gotten very violent.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
He continued:
I began hearing reports of threats to some of the journalists who were trying to record the troublemakers. Also some plans to set fires.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
I heard that they were really determined to set Sam's Market and Ferguson Market on fire.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
It became so clear the awfulness of the situation. Communities need police. But here & now, the slightest police presence enrages people.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
Soon looters overran the group guarding Sam's. Soon after that we heard they started to set it on fire. The young guy with me ran towards.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
That young man ran top speed into the broken glass opening into Sam's Market, where some smoke and a small flame could be seen.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
When I arrived he had an armful of grape soda 2-litter bottles & was pouring it on the small flame. I grabbed one of the bottles and helped.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
Still not fully satisfied, the troublemakers hopped in their cars & started doing donuts in the now completely empty lanes of W. Florissant.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
Others started taking license plates off their cars. "They're going to Walmart," someone said. And soon, after more car tricks, they left.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 16, 2014
(More here.)
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