Second night of protests in St. Louis after ex-cop acquitted

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in St. Louis for a second night in a row after the acquittal of a white former police officer in the shooting death of a black motorist.

Protests remained mostly peaceful Saturday, with live stream video on Periscope showing demonstrators marching down the streets chanting “black lives matter” and “united we stand/divided we fall.”

.@jettloe on #Periscope: Protesters sparked by #jasonstockley verdict on Skinker in #stlouis – many calling for econ https://t.co/HWtyQlb8RP

— PRAY FOR AMERICA (@michaeldblush) September 17, 2017

Other videos shared on social media showed rapper and television host Nick Cannon marching with protesters Saturday evening. Video showed Cannon raising his fist to chants of “no justice, no profit,” though he himself was not chanting.

{mosads}A tweet from the St. Louis police department Saturday evening confirmed multiple reports of smashed windows at the Mayor’s house, the St. Louis Public Library and several businesses.

Property Damaged During Demonstrations. #STLVerdict pic.twitter.com/wgRlVD7zj6

— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017

Missouri’s National Guard was put on standby Thursday by Gov. Eric Greitens (R), who said in a statement that he would protect demonstrators’ right to protest, while warning that violence would not be tolerated.

“I’m committed to protecting everyone’s constitutional right to protest peacefully, while also protecting people’s lives, homes, and communities,” Greitens said in a statement.

Thirty-three arrests have been made so far, and at least 11 police officers have sustained injuries, according to St. Louis police. That number could increase Saturday night as the sun goes down in the city.