Missouri governor activates national guard as ‘precautionary measure’ for civil unrest
Missouri Governor Mike Parson activated the national guard Thursday in response to “civil unrest across the country” following a Kentucky grand jury’s decision not to bring charges for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
As a precautionary measure the National Guard and Missouri State Highway Patrol will be ready to assist local law enforcement in instances of unrest, according to a news release from Parson’s office Thursday.
“We are saddened by recent acts of violence that have occurred in some cities across the nation,” Parson said in the release. “We fully support the right of citizens to peacefully protest and are committed to protecting that right. At this time, we are taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting Missouri and its people.”
The move follows nationwide protests that began Sept. 23 calling for justice for Taylor, a Black woman who was killed in a drug raid.
Some protests turned violent that evening..
Two Louisville police officers were shot and wounded during demonstrations.
Police in Seattle made 13 arrests as authorities said people smashed windows and spray painted buildings. Multiple officers were injured and one was struck in the head with a baseball bat, cracking his helmet.
In a statement, Seattle police also said they were aware of a video that apparently shows an officer’s bike rolling over the head of someone in the street. The incident will be investigated, authorities said.
In Portland, Oregon, people hurled Molotov cocktails at officers. Thirteen were arrested. Denver police said a man was detained after driving his car through a group of protesters. Police said no injuries were reported there.
No incidents of violence were reported at a Kansas City protest the night if Sept. 23, though five demonstrators were arrested for trespassing in the area outside the Kansas City Police Department headquarters.
Prosecutors said that two officers who shot at Taylor were justified in using force in self defense after Taylor’s boyfriend fired at them.
The only charges brought by the grand jury were three counts of wanton endangerment against fired Officer Brett Hankison for shooting into Taylor’s neighbors’ homes during the raid.
The FBI is still investigating potential violations of federal law in the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 7:09 PM.
