The number and origin of the non-residents traveling to support the protesters in Ferguson, Missouri hasn't been officially tallied, but at least one high-profile native of Missouri made an appearance on Friday: Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Dorsey broadcast his intentions to join the protesters in Ferguson via Twitter on Friday.
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Feels good to be home. I'll be standing with everyone in Ferguson all weekend #HandsUpDontShoot— Jack (@jack) August 16, 2014
Based on his Twitter stream, Dorsey arrived in Ferguson later that day and immediately began posting Vines of the crowd marching peacefully with signs through the streets of the town. Dorsey continued to march with the protesters on Saturday.
Marching #ferguson https://t.co/qaxOI3CXEt— Jack (@jack) August 16, 2014
#handsupdontshoot https://t.co/9fJipWf0yY— Jack (@jack) August 16, 2014
https://t.co/A5zi9JKBIy— Jack (@jack) August 16, 2014
Opting to let his Vine videos do most of the talking, Dorsey, who is also the founder of Square, also marched, along with the rest of the crowd, with Capt. Ronald Johnson, the Missouri state police officer who has been instrumental in calming tensions between protesters and local authorities.
Cpt. Johnson walking with us. #handsupdontshoot https://t.co/vJxaedfgvr— Jack (@jack) August 17, 2014
Finally, Dorsey also managed to meet with Antonio French, Alderman of the 21st Ward in St. Louis and one of those arrested during the initial stages of the protest.
Marched with Alderman @AntonioFrench. Amazing calm. Thank you Alderman! #ferguson pic.twitter.com/U7HJbliIG3— Jack (@jack) August 17, 2014
As of this writing, the situation in Ferguson is peaceful and under control. However, a curfew put in place by Governor Nixon earlier today, following nighttime looting in the area on Friday, may once again put Ferguson's fragile state of peace to the test.