Ferguson Protests Move to Walmart, Target Stores for Black Friday
Protesters visit St. Louis-area stores, shouting, "back away from the Walmart."
— -- Protesters visited stores in the St. Louis area overnight, using the Black Friday shopping occasion to condemn a grand jury’s decision not to indict the Ferguson, Missouri, police officer who fatally shot Michael Brown.
The protests began Thanksgiving night and continued early Friday. Protesters spent a few minutes at each store, shouting things such as “Hands up, don’t shoot!” and “Shut it down!” while walking through the store aisles. The Walmart in Ferguson was closed overnight as a precaution.
Police officers stood guard at other locations, ensuring that the protests remained civil. There was no immediate word of any arrests.
The demonstrations occurred at Walmart and Target stores. Some protesters tried to dissuade shoppers with a song.
“Back away from the Walmart, back away,” the group sang.
Brandon Haub was Black Friday shopping with his girlfriend at a Walmart in Bridgeton, Missouri, about 7 miles west of Ferguson, when they were “hit with a surprising amount of protests all of a sudden,” he told ABC News.
There were no visible protests Thursday in Ferguson, and no arrests reported. National Guard troops patrolled the city for the fourth consecutive night after Monday’s grand jury decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.