By 
Across the St. Louis area this weekend, a handful of protests – from small demonstrations in front of government buildings to large-scale marches – took place, fueled by anger over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Floyd, an African American man, died after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, restrained him by kneeling on his neck for several minutes. The officer has since been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers involved in the incident on May 25 have been fired.
Protesters block an intersection before marching down N. Hanley Road in Clayton, in solidarity with Minneapolis protesters for police reform on Saturday, May 30. Photo by Christine Tannous
Chris Franklin holds a sign saying, “I can’t breathe,” while marching during a demonstration for police reform in Clayton on Saturday, May 30. The protesters marched in solidarity with Minneapolis over the death of George Floyd. Photo by Christine Tannous
In St. Louis, a day of protests that began peacefully in downtown Clayton on Saturday afternoon escalated into a tense situation Saturday night in Ferguson, as more protesters descended onto the area that was the site of violent confrontations and rioting in the summer of 2014, following the shooting death of Michael Brown.
The Ferguson police station sustained heavy damage, and there were also reports of looting, fireworks thrown in the direction of police, and gunshots in the area, prompting the mayor to issue a curfew from Sunday night into Monday morning. On Sunday night, police fired tear gas at protesters who continued to gather past the 8 p.m. curfew outside of the Ferguson Police Department, after issuing a warning that the protest was an “unlawful assembly.”
Demonstrators march down Forest Park Parkway in solidarity with Minneapolis protesters for police reform on Saturday, May 30. Photo by Christine Tannous
Smaller protests took place throughout the St. Louis metro area on Sunday, including a demonstration across from the St. Louis Galleria, where the crowd blocked traffic along Clayton Road before being dispersed by police.
Protesters block the intersection of Big Bend Boulevard and Forest Park Parkway on Saturday, May 30. Photo by Christine Tannous
The largest gathering took place Saturday afternoon in downtown Clayton, where hundreds of protesters peacefully marched through the streets, making their way through Forest Park Parkway to the Delmar Loop, before disbanding. There were no arrests or incidents reported. Photojournalist Christine Tannous marched alongside the protesters to capture the scene.
Hundreds of protesters march down Forest Park Parkway in Clayton during a demonstration for police reform on Saturday, May 30. Photo by Christine Tannous
A demonstrator stands in front of protesters as they take a break from walking during a march for police reform in Clayton on Saturday, May 30. Photo by Christine Tannous
Demonstrators march down Forest Park Parkway in solidarity with Minneapolis protesters for police reform on Saturday, May 30. Photo by Christine Tannous
Jace Saffo holds a sign that says, “I Matter,” while sitting on Ralph Saffo’s shoulders during a protest down Forest Park Parkway in Clayton on Saturday, May 30. Photo by Christine Tannous
Protesters chant as they close down the intersection of Delmar Boulevard and N. Skinker Boulevard on Saturday, March 30, during a protest for police reform. Photo by Christine Tannous
Comments