VIDEO: Journalists Arrested at Ferguson McDonalds As Police Presence Elevated and Protesters Attack
Two journalists were arrested Wednesday during the Ferguson protest after police emptied out a McDonald’s they were working from, angering many on social media who called it an act of intimidation against the press. The protests broke out after an unarmed teen was fatally shot by police and neighborhood witnesses accused the police of lying about the circumstances.
Wesley Lowery is a reporter at the Washington Post while Ryan Reilly works for Huffington Post. They tweeted throughout the experience:
6 hours ago Ryan Reilly introduced himself to me in a McDonalds. Then we ended up in jail. Wonder what he's got planned for our second date
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Here’s how it all began:
Police come into McD where me and @ryanjreilly working. Try to kick everyone out.
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 13, 2014
"We cannot guarantee your safety. We will not be answering 911 calls"
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 13, 2014
Was arrested
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Police arresting reporters at McDonald’s in Ferguson Missouri.
Also Ryan Reilly of Huff Po. Assaulted and arrested
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Officers decided we weren't leaving McDonalds quickly enough, shouldn't have been taping them.
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Released without any charges, no paperwork whatsoever
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Refusing to give us any names of the officers
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Officers slammed me into a fountain soda machine because I was confused about which door they were asking me to walk out of
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Detained, booked, given answers to no questions. Then just let out
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Got no explaination at any point why in custody other than "trespassing" – at a mcdonalds where we were customers
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
"The chief thought he was doing you a favor" – police officer tells me about release. With no charges, no police report
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
It's as if the arrest and the assaults never took place. Just opened the doors and let is out as if we'd let it go
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Apparently, in America, in 2014, police can manhandle you, take you into custody, put you in cell & then open the door like it didn't happen
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Well, @WesleyLowery and I have been released. That was an experience.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 14, 2014
Police now say there might be a report available to Ryan and I in "a week or two"
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Really upset, and have conflicting emotions – but can't shake anger that (part) of story about my stupid detention and not about ferguson
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Here is the video captured by one of the journalists while being arrested:
While they were upset at their treatment, many on Twitter pointed out that actually law enforcement is not Constitutionally bound to tell a person what they’ve been arrested for at the time of arrest. Although, if it happened to me, I’d be pretty upset. Many also point out that it is legal to video tape a policeman, even though the cop in the video said he could not continue filming.
Whether you believe the police were justified in these arrests or not, it’s clear that this altercation between community protesters and the law enforcement authorities is not anywhere near over.
This ONE Tweet From The NAACP About The Ferguson Riots Has Many African Americans Outraged
