“Whose Streets” chants by local police in St. Louis raises controversy

ST. LOUIS, MO - On the afternoon of September 19th the St. Louis police department took it to the streets to celebrate the acquittal of Jason Stockley, a former white cop who shot and killed a 24 year-old black motorist, Anthony Lamar Smith, back in 2011. They came out in full riot gear and walked through the streets like they owned the place. And their chants made it seem so as well.

The reason people protested this assembly by the officers is because they made it seem like they owned and ran the streets not those who they serve. This was disappointing to the people of Missouri because it was just miles from where the Ferguson shooting had taken place years before.

Late, last Sunday night, St. Louis police “roughed up and rounded up” a group of protesters who would not disperse and there was at least one journalist bystander. And it was after this round up that these officers rubbed it in once more chanting “Whose streets? Our streets.” That next morning the only thing the police chief had to say was that their department “owned the night”.

Years ago after the Boston bombing David Ortiz said words very similar but his were meant to bring people together. “... This is our f------ city. And nobody's going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong.” David’s speech at this game was so moving and brought people together after this disaster. O’Toole’s( Police chief of St. Louis) chant was so upsetting because it was meant to say this is our city and not yours.

There is a lot of controversy about the case still. Some believe that Stockley planted the gun on Smith because his DNA was found on it but that didn't sway the judge. Smith’s DNA wasn't found on the weapon.

That next Monday, there were peaceful protesters that gathered and chanted “We will win together.”