Missouri Scales Back National Guard Amid ‘Improving Conditions’
Missouri Scales Back National Guard Amid ‘Improving Conditions’
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Missouri National Guard soldiers patrol the parking lot of the Ferguson Market & Liquor store on West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson a little after 10 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2014.David Carson—St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS/Getty Images
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced a drawdown of National Guard operations on Tuesday, roughly a week after boosting security in the St. Louis region following the announcement that a grand jury would not indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the August shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown.
Riots erupted in Ferguson shortly after the announcement and demonstrations quickly popped up around the country. Public officials, including Ferguson’s mayor, criticized Nixon for what they claimed was a too-delayed employment of the extra law enforcement officials, resulting in a night of arson, looting and riots that transfixed the national media and smoldered into the morning. Some 2,200 National Guardsmen were on the streets last week; Nixon said Tuesday that 1,268 were on patrol as of 1 p.m., local time.
“The men and women of the Missouri National Guard have served the people of the region admirably, and I greatly appreciate their professionalism, bravery and dedication,” Nixon said in a public statement. “As the Guard begins to scale back its operations, the Missouri State Highway Patrol will continue to work closely with local law enforcement agencies to protect lives and property in Ferguson and across the St. Louis region. My administration also remains committed to helping affected communities rebuild and recover, and building a safer, fairer and more united region for all.”
Ferguson Ignites With Violence After Grand Jury Decision
Law enforcement stands in full gear by tanks in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEProtesters stand amid tear gas and smoke in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Barrett Emke for TIMERiot policemen clash with protesters in Ferguson Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Alexey Furman—EPASt. Louis County Police tactical team members open their reserve supply of tear gas to be fired as they take cover behind an armored truck on S. Florissant Avenue in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. David Carson—St Louis Post Dispatch/PolarisLaw enforcement responds to protestors in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEA woman speaks into a megaphone during protests in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEA man lies on the ground amid protests in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEPolice in riot gear tangle with a woman in front of emergency vehicles in Ferguson Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Larry W. Smith—EPAA demonstrator puts his hands in the air amid protests in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEA law enforcement officer pushes back protestors after they destroyed a police car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Michael B. Thomas—AFP/Getty ImagesDemonstrators attempt to push over a police car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov, 24, 2014. Xinhua/SipaCars burn at a car dealership as demonstrators protest the Grand Jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson over the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. on No.v 24, 2014. Larry W. Smith—EPAA car burns on the street after a grand jury returned no indictment in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Jim Young—ReutersProtestors parade in the parking lot of a burning auto parts store in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Tannen Maury—EPAA demonstrator walks down the street after getting tear gas in her face and attempting to cleanse her eyes in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Larry W. Smith—EPAPatrick London surveys the damage at his fast food restaurant London's Wing House after it was looted during protests on Nov. 24, 2014.Barrett Emke for TIMEMichael Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, covers her face while standing alongside other demonstrators in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEPolice stand near a burned out police car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Christian Gooden—St. Louis Post-Dispatch/PolarisA man stands by a burned out car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEA Ferguson firefighter surveys rubble at a strip mall that was set on fire when rioting erupted following the grand jury announcement in the Michael Brown case on Nov. 25, 2014 in Ferguson, Mo.Scott Olson—Getty ImagesA police officer holds her gun during clashes with protesters in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Jewel Samad—AFP/Getty Images