Angered by significant evidence of racism unearthed by a Department of Justice inquiry into the Ferguson Police Department, a small but vocal group of protesters returned to police headquarters Wednesday night.
The protesters shouted at officers as some activists were reportedly arrested.
Tensions between the public and police in Ferguson has been high since the August death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen who was fatally shot by white police officer Darren Wilson. Police headquarters has been the site of many protests since the 18-year-old's death--some massive and some small.
The Justice Department report publicly released Wednesday, which said that African Americans were disproportionately damaged by court procedures and police actions, seemingly stoked an already-upset community.
Small group of protesters shut down S Florissant Rd because of @TheJusticeDept announcement. @ksdknews #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/9lGqSuNjUb— Don Galloway (@DonGallowayKSDK) March 5, 2015
One demonstrator Wednesday could be heard screaming "Racist!" as another bellowed at an officer "Identify yourself! What is your name! Do not turn away from me!" During demonstrations earlier this year, some officers were criticized for not wearing or covering their name badges.
Protesters in the street are getting arrested. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/syvH3z2X4B— Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun) March 5, 2015
Earlier Wednesday, Ferguson's mayor announced that one police officer would be fired and another two suspended over racist emails spotlighted in the federal report.
Told us to get out of the street #nope #ferguson pic.twitter.com/gbjTwCXsFs— Ida B. Yomama (@ms_tjp) March 5, 2015
Protesters against police line at #Ferguson PD pic.twitter.com/Vfaw4yaLbk— Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun) March 5, 2015
Longtime activists, including Bassem Masri and Deray McKesson, defended the ongoing Ferguson protests on Twitter. Singer John Legend also chimed in.
@bassem_masri It took the people in the streets to get the Ferguson Report— John Legend (@johnlegend) March 5, 2015
Why protest? Because Missouri is engaged in the scandal of a lifetime. #Ferguson— deray mckesson (@deray) March 5, 2015