Notes From Ferguson: Reporter's View of the Scene

As a grand jury convenes inside the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, about 30 protestors are outside, chanting, "Arrest Darren Wilson" and "We Want Justice"

The outside temperatures here in Ferguson, Missouri, are hotter than the tempers of protestors today.

As a grand jury convenes inside the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, about 30 protestors are outside, chanting, "Arrest Darren Wilson" and "We Want Justice." They are holding their arms high in the air, while wearing T-shirts that read "don't shoot." Some even drew chalk outlines of bodies on the street, just a short distance from the same officers they are protesting.

The scene is much less chaotic than Ferguson has experienced in the last week. 

On Tuesday night, 11 days after Michael Brown was shot dead, it was relatively quiet on Florrisant Avenue, the site of previous rioting. The media, bloggers and  so-called citizen journalists almost outnumbered the number of actual protestors.

Some were from as far away as Japan. Some donned riot helmets and gas masks as they streamed their coverage live, but none of it was needed. Some pepper spray was used, but no tear gas at any point. No shots were fired and by 1:00 a.m., the street was clear.

There were 47 arrests. St. Louis County Capt. Ron Johnson attributes recent peaceful protests to community members, volunteers, clergy and activists who assisted in helping move out the crowds.

There were some disturbances around midnight. Capt. Johnson says "agitators" embedded themselves and hid behind the media and tossed bottles and other things at officers.   

Officers promptly moved in and arrested them, cuffing their hands behind their backs with twist ties.
 
Three guns were confiscated during the night, and two were found on men who were pulled over during a traffic stop. Earlier in the night those men had threatened to kill the officers. Another gun was found on an arrestee.     

One man, from Austin, Texas, has now been arrested three times

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