‘White Silence Is Violence.’ Hundreds of ‘Allies’ Protest in St. Louis

(ST. LOUIS) — Hundreds of mostly white protesters gathered Thursday evening in downtown St. Louis and marched, chanting “white silence is violence.” Organizers called for the “White Allies Only” rally, which began at Kiener Plaza. The demonstration is the latest of several since Friday, when a judge acquitted former police officer Jason Stockley, who is white, of fatally shooting a 24-year-old black man, Anthony Lamar Smith. Protest organizer Cori Bush said people of many races are upset and angry about the treatment of blacks in St. Louis. She said the rally will help drive that point home. “I think it’s great for people to know there are white people that believe black lives matter and aren’t afraid to show it, that want to tear down systemic racism,” Bush said. Jennifer Sherer, a demonstrator from St. Louis, said the city remains badly segregated. “When you look at the history of St. Louis, the racial divide is very intentional,” Sherer said while holding a “black lives matter” sign. Protesters marched down a busy street to Busch Stadium about an hour before singer Billy Joel was scheduled to perform in front of an estimated 50,000 fans. Metal barriers were set up and many police officers stood outside the baseball stadium, some in riot gear. At one point, the crowd of demonstrators chanted “I don’t see no riot here, why are you in riot gear?” Concerts by U2 and Ed Sheeran were...
Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized onetime Race St Louis Source Type: news