St. Louis Protests: After 22 Arrests, Calls For Police Force Probe

ST. LOUIS, MO — Nearly two dozen protesters were arrested at the St. Louis Galleria in Richmond Heights over the weekend, and several elected officials and faith leaders are calling for an investigation into what they're calling forceful arrests.

Many who spoke at a news conference Monday used the term "police riot" to describe Saturday's events when 22 protesters were forcefully arrested and the Rev. Karla Frye was allegedly put in a chokehold. Seven demonstrators were charged with rioting and resisting arrest.

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State Rep. Bruce Franks and others said police instigated the confrontation. The protest was among several since a judge ruled former police officer Jason Stockley was not guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Anthony Lamar Smith. (For more information on the protests and other St. Louis stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

St. Louis County and Richmond Heights police said their actions were justified and that the female pastor had to be pulled off the back of an officer she had attacked. Police said she was not choked.

Photo credit: Christian Goode /St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP