Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
Justice Department tells Ferguson police to stop wearing bracelets - Yahoo NewsFERGUSON Mo. (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department asked the Ferguson, Missouri, Police Department on Friday to order its officers not to wear bracelets in support of the white policeman who shot to death an unarmed black teenager last month, sparking protests.
Related Stories
In a letter to Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson, the Justice Department said residents had told its investigators that officers policing protest sites on Tuesday in Ferguson were seen wearing "I am Darren Wilson" bracelets.
- Ferguson unrest persists despite chief's gesture Associated Press
- Justice Department investigates Ferguson police Associated Press
- DOJ Gets Ferguson, St. Louis County Cops To Ban 'I Am Darren Wilson' Wristbands Huffington Post
- Police, protesters clash at rally in Ferguson, Missouri: CNN, KMOV Reuters
- Ferguson protesters call anew to remove prosecutor Associated Press
Wilson killed 18-year-old Michael Brown on Aug. 9, causing outrage in the mostly black St. Louis suburb of 21,000 people. Wilson has not been charged in the case.
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into the shooting and the police treatment of protesters, which critics say was unduly harsh.
The letter said the bracelets had "upset and agitated" people and "reinforce the very 'us versus them' mentality that many residents of Ferguson believe exists."
The DOJ said it had been assured by officials with the county and state police, which have been brought in to help in Ferguson, that their officers would not wear them. Ferguson police could not be reached for comment on Friday evening.
In a separate letter sent to Jackson earlier this week, the Justice Department said its investigators had observed Ferguson police officers not wearing, or obscuring, their name tags on their uniforms, a violation of the police department's rules.
"The failure to wear name plates conveys a message to community members that, through anonymity, officers may seek to act with impunity," the letter said.
Jackson, following weeks of heavy criticism and calls for his ouster, issued a video apology to Brown's parents on Thursday. He later began marching with a group of protesters, but a scuffle broke out near him and several people were arrested.
In addition to the Justice Department probe, a grand jury in St. Louis County is examining the case.
Protesters have pledged continued civil unrest until Wilson is charged in Brown's death and on Friday night several dozen people gathered in downtown Ferguson to call for Jackson's ouster.
Police kept a low-key presence during the demonstrations, showing none of the aggressive tactics that had led to prior clashes with protesters.
Although Ferguson is predominantly African American, its
political leadership and police department are dominated by whites. Activists say Brown's death was the culmination of years of police unfairly targeting blacks.
What first amendment?
What first amendment?
Who said you have a First Amendment right on your employer's time?
What first amendment?
Who said you have a First Amendment right on your employer's time?
holder is not their employer
What first amendment?
Who said you have a First Amendment right on your employer's time?
holder is not their employer
No, the Police Department is the employer.
What first amendment?
Who said you have a First Amendment right on your employer's time?
Oh, maybe since the negro took over?What first amendment?
Who said you have a First Amendment right on your employer's time?
Since when did the DOJ have anything to do with the local police?
What first amendment?
Who said you have a First Amendment right on your employer's time?
holder is not their employer
No, the Police Department is the employer.
right and the doj demanded them not to allow the arm bands
This is the equivalent of if people had been buying Casey Anthony wrist bands before her trial had begun. Absurd.
This is the equivalent of if people had been buying Casey Anthony wrist bands before her trial had begun. Absurd.
George Zimmerman is kicking himself. He could have sold wristbands!
