Can’t blame Infowars for wanting them there for protection, given reporters getting beaten up and robbed.
FERGUSON, Mo. (Reuters) – Four civilians carrying military-style rifles and sidearms patrolled a riot-torn street in Ferguson, Missouri, early Tuesday, saying they were there to protect a media organization but drawing swift criticism from police and protesters alike.
The appearance of the four men, all white, quickly drew stares in the mostly black neighborhood, which exploded into violence again on Sunday night as protesters marked the police killing of an unarmed black teen a year ago.
The men identified themselves as part of a group called “Oath Keepers,” which describes itself as an association of current and former U.S. soldiers and police who aim to protect the U.S. Constitution.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit civil rights organization, has described the “Oath Keepers” as a “fiercely anti-government, militaristic group,” and St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar condemned their appearance in Ferguson.
“Their presence was both unnecessary and inflammatory,” he said, adding that police would work with county prosecutors to see if the men had broken any laws.
Surreal: watch them pitch the benefits of Donald Trump to protesters, via Sooper Mexican:
He's talking about trump. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/UBfaWnW6BY
— Patrick Calvert (@MidwestPatrick) August 11, 2015