At least six people protesting the lack of a grand jury indictment against the white Ferguson, Missouri, police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black teen were arrested for throwing an object near the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route from a building,
Fox News reports.
Police were prepared for the protesters after a Twitter message was posted Thursday morning using the hashtag
#StoptheParade.
On the social media site
Tumblr, also using the #StoptheParade hashtag, people planning to participate doled out advice, such as one poster who advised protesters to dress warmly and asked "white people and nonblack poc" to not "overpower the black voices! you are there to support, NOT to make it about yourselves. remember, this is about black voices being heard. yelling s**t like “ALL LIVES MATTER” detracts from the point and ruins the entire point of the protest in the first place."
The
New York Post reported that "anarchists" began forging a plan on Wednesday to disrupt the nationally televised parade, "feeling emboldened after cops allowed them to run free on major roadways like the FDR Drive and the West Side Highway."
"The police aren’t going to arrest us and they are not going to shoot us," an organizer who calls himself 'Magiq' boasted to a group of two dozen rabble-rousers at a Union Square planning session Wednesday night," the Post reported.
Thousands of protesters marched throughout the city Wednesday night chanting "No justice, No peace," according to Fox News, while some waved signs such as "Jail killer cops" and "Justice for Mike Brown."
Only 10 of the crowd of 3,000 was arrested during Tuesday night’s protests, according to the Post, despite the crowd blocking traffic for the Lincoln Tunnel, the Brooklyn Bridge and other major thoroughfares.
Sources told the Post that police were operating under a directive from Mayor Bill de Blasio to take a hands-off approach.
"We’re being told if it’s only traffic violations, don’t do anything," once source told the newspaper. “How times have changed. Under [Ray] Kelly and [Mike] Bloomberg, this would never happen," said another.
#StoptheParade’s Twitter page trended all morning with supporters blasting tweets about the protests, with the occasional detractor chiming in.
Citing the “unrest” in the community, the annual St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade was postponed, according to the
St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"Given the unrest in our community following the tragic death of Michael Brown, The Christmas in St. Louis Foundation is postponing the Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade until later this holiday season," the organizer’s website states. "More details will be shared once a new date is confirmed.
"In these challenging times, we encourage you to gather with your friends and loved ones to reflect, and enjoy this special and unique American tradition."
According to
New York News Station WPIX, which posted video of some of the Macy’s parade arrests, some protesters also ran toward the floats.
Police were giving the demonstrators “breathing room,” as long as the protests remained peaceful, according to
The Washington Times.
"As long as they remain nonviolent, and as long as they don’t engage in issues that cause fear or create vandalism, we will work with them to allow them to demonstrate," New York Police Commissioner William Bratton said.
Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown in August after Brown reportedly attacked Wilson during a stop. Just before the altercation, Brown, who was unarmed, had robbed a convenience store where he stole cigarillos.
A grand jury met for three months and this week their decision to not indict Wilson was announced, sparking days of violence, looting and riots in the St. Louis suburb.
Related Stories:
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.