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Journalists Face Tear Gas, Police Threats While Covering Protests Against Killing Of Michael Brown

Journalists Threatened By Police While Covering Michael Brown Killing
By 

Senior Media Editor, The Huffington Post

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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Police lock down a neighborhood on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Journalists encountered a threatening response from police as they tried to cover the protests in Ferguson, the Missouri town that has been upended by the police killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager.

While there was a spate of looting on Sunday night, Monday's demonstrations were peaceful. Protestors faced tear gas and rubber bullets from officers trying to break their ranks up. At the same time, police told local media to get out of the area.

Police making local media leave so "we can disperse remaining people." Calling local stations telling them to pull out news trucks

— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 12, 2014

Eventually officers charged again. Handful reporters/photogs threatened if we didn't move.
"Your last warning, you're putting lives at risk"

— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 12, 2014

Not leaving, let's see if I end up in cuffs

— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 12, 2014

Protests are continuing, and the FBI has begun an investigation into Brown's killing.

Before You Go

Michael Brown Protests In Missouri
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(01 of32)
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JENNINGS, MO - AUGUST 11: Lesley McSpadden, mother of slain 18 year-old Michael Brown speaks during a press conference at Jennings Mason Temple Church of God In Christ, on August 11, 2014 in Jennings, Missouri. The fatal shooting by police of the unarmed teen in Ferguson, Missouri has sparked outrage in the community and set off civil unrest including looting and vandalism. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(02 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Police force protestors from the business district into nearby neighborhoods on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(03 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: A child uses a rag to shield her face from tear gas being fired by police who used it to force protestors from the business district into nearby neighborhoods on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(04 of32)
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CLAYTON, MO - AUGUST 12: Demonstrators raise their hands and chant 'hands up, don't shoot' during a protest over the killing of Michael Brown on August 12, 2014 in Clayton, Missouri. Some reports state that Brown hand his hands in the air when he was shot and killed by a police officer on Saturday in suburban Ferguson, Missouri. Two days of unrest including rioting and looting have followed the shooting in Ferguson. Browns parents have publicly asked for order. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(05 of32)
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ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 12: Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton speaks about the killing of teenager Michael Brown at a press conference held on the steps of the old courthouse on August 12, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. Brown was shot and killed by a police officer on Saturday in suburban Ferguson, Missouri. Sharpton and Browns family were calling for order following riots and skirmishes with police over the past two nights in Ferguson by demonstrators angry over the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(06 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Demonstrators protest next to the spot where 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot by police on Saturday on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(07 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: With their hands raised, residents gather at a police line as the neighborhood is locked down following skirmishes on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(08 of32)
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CLAYTON, MO - AUGUST 12: Demonstrators raise their hands and chant 'hands up, don't shoot' during a protest over the killing of Michael Brown on August 12, 2014 in Clayton, Missouri. Some reports state that Brown hand his hands in the air when he was shot and killed by a police officer on Saturday in suburban Ferguson, Missouri. Two days of unrest including rioting and looting have followed the shooting in Ferguson. Browns parents have publicly asked for order. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(09 of32)
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ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 12: Lesley McSpadden (R), the mother of slain teenager Michael Brown, arrives for a press conference on the arm of civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton (L) on August 12, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. Brown was shot and killed by a police officer on Saturday in suburban Ferguson, Missouri. Sharpton and Browns family were calling for order following riots and skirmishes with police over the past two nights in Ferguson by demonstrators angry over the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(10 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Police refuse to let people leave a neighborhood on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(11 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: A child uses a rag to shield his face from tear gas being fired by police who used it to force protestors from the business district into nearby neighborhoods on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(12 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Police lock down a neighborhood on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(13 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Protesters are forced by police from the business district into nearby neighborhoods on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(14 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Demonstrators protest the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown who was shot by police on Saturday on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(15 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: A man is helped away after being hit in the face with a rubber bullet as police advance on protestors firing tear gas and rubber bullets to force them from the business district into nearby neighborhoods on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Residents and their supporters were protesting the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(16 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Demonstrators protest the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown who was shot by police on Saturday on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(17 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Protesters are forced by police from the business district into nearby neighborhoods on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(18 of32)
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JENNINGS, MO - AUGUST 11: Cornell Williams Brooks, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) speaks during a press conference regarding the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown at Jennings Mason Temple Church of God In Christ, on August 11, 2014 in Jennings, Missouri. The fatal shooting by police of the unarmed teen in Ferguson, Missouri has sparked outrage in the community and set off civil unrest including looting and vandalism. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(19 of32)
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JENNINGS, MO - AUGUST 11: Attorney Benjamin L. Crump speaks to the media during a press conference regarding the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown at Jennings Mason Temple Church of God In Christ, on August 11, 2014 in Jennings, Missouri. The fatal shooting by police of the unarmed teen in Ferguson, Missouri has sparked outrage in the community and set off civil unrest including looting and vandalism. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(20 of32)
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ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 12: Lesley McSpadden the mother of slain teenager Michael Brown shows a painting of her and her son through her car window as she leaves a press conference held by civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton on August 12, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. Brown was shot and killed by a police officer on Saturday in suburban Ferguson, Missouri. Sharpton and Browns family were calling for order following riots and skirmishes with police over the past two nights in Ferguson by demonstrators angry over the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(21 of32)
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CLAYTON, MO - AUGUST 12: Demonstrators raise their hands and chant 'hands up, don't shoot' during a protest over the killing of Michael Brown on August 12, 2014 in Clayton, Missouri. Some reports state that Brown hand his hands in the air when he was shot and killed by a police officer on Saturday in suburban Ferguson, Missouri. Two days of unrest including rioting and looting have followed the shooting in Ferguson. Browns parents have publicly asked for order. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Protests Continue In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(22 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Women hold signs during a protest of the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer, outside Ferguson Police Department Headquarters August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Civil unrest broke out as a result of the shooting of the unarmed black man as crowds looted and burned stores, vandalized vehicles and taunted police officers. Dozens were arrested for various infractions including assault, burglary and theft. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
Protests Continue In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(23 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Protestors stand with arms in the air during a protest of the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer, outside Ferguson Police Department Headquarters August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Civil unrest broke out as a result of the shooting of the unarmed black man as crowds looted and burned stores, vandalized vehicles and taunted police officers. Dozens were arrested for various infractions including assault, burglary and theft. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
Protests Continue In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(24 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: St. Louis County Law Enforcement Officers stand in riot gear during a protest of the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer, outside Ferguson Police Department Headquarters August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Civil unrest broke out as a result of the shooting of the unarmed black man as crowds looted and burned stores, vandalized vehicles and taunted police officers. Dozens were arrested for various infractions including assault, burglary and theft. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(25 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Arniesha Randall protests the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown who was shot by police on Saturday on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(26 of32)
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JENNINGS, MO - AUGUST 11: Lesley McSpadden, mother of slain 18-year-old Michael Brown, is overcome with emotion during a press conference at Jennings Mason Temple Church of God In Christ, on August 11, 2014 in Jennings, Missouri. The fatal shooting by police of the unarmed teen in Ferguson, Missouri has sparked outrage in the community and set off civil unrest including looting and vandalism. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(27 of32)
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ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 12: Lesley McSpadden (C), the mother of slain teenager Michael Brown, arrives for a press conference on the arm of civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton (L) on August 12, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. Brown was shot and killed by a police officer on Saturday in suburban Ferguson, Missouri. Sharpton and Browns family were calling for order following riots and skirmishes with police over the past two nights in Ferguson by demonstrators angry over the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Protests Continue In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(28 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Protestors stand with arms in the air during a protest of the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer, outside Ferguson Police Department Headquarters August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Civil unrest broke out as a result of the shooting of the unarmed black man as crowds looted and burned stores, vandalized vehicles and taunted police officers. Dozens were arrested for various infractions including assault, burglary and theft. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(29 of32)
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ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 12: Lesley McSpadden the mother of slain teenager Michael Brown shows a painting of her and her son through her car window as she leaves a press conference held by civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton on August 12, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. Brown was shot and killed by a police officer on Saturday in suburban Ferguson, Missouri. Sharpton and Browns family were calling for order following riots and skirmishes with police over the past two nights in Ferguson by demonstrators angry over the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(30 of32)
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CLAYTON, MO - AUGUST 12: Demonstrators raise their hands and chant 'hands up, don't shoot' during a protest over the killing of Michael Brown on August 12, 2014 in Clayton, Missouri. Some reports state that Brown hand his hands in the air when he was shot and killed by a police officer on Saturday in suburban Ferguson, Missouri. Two days of unrest including rioting and looting have followed the shooting in Ferguson. Browns parents have publicly asked for order. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Outrage In Missouri Town After Police Shooting Of 18-Yr-Old Man(31 of32)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Marlon Carter, a rap musician from Kansas City, stayed in town after his performance to join a protest over the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was shot by police on Saturday on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
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FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 11: Police force protestors from the business district into nearby neighborhoods on August 11, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown who was killed Saturday in this suburban St. Louis community. Yesterday 32 arrests were made after protests turned into rioting and looting in Ferguson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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