It's hard to be across the country from something like the protests in Ferguson, Missouri. What can we do? But at least we can bear witness, at least via Twitter. Is that good enough? No. But it seems important to at least start with keeping our eyes open.
Things have gotten extra-scary again—or did they never stop being scary? Police with dogs, roaming in riot gear and camouflage, SWAT teams training weapons on protesters from on top of military-looking vehicles. Protesters in the streets are defiant and brave, but it looks terrifying out there. There are plenty of people getting pictures out on social media; you can check #Ferguson or follow reporters on the ground.
Although: Apparently they're arresting reporters? Wesley Lowery, a Washington Post reporter who's been live-tweeting and writing about the protests there, said:
Police come into McD where me and @ryanjreilly working. Try to kick everyone out.
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 13, 2014
Ryan J. Reilly, a Huffington Post reporter, was with him:
SWAT just invade McDonald's where I'm working/recharging. Asked for ID when I took photo. pic.twitter.com/FOIsMnBwHy
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 13, 2014
Then from Jon Swaine, a Guardian reporter:
Just saw two reporters in ferguson cuffed and put in cop van
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 13, 2014
Matt Pearce, LA Times:
I just called Ferguson police chief to ask about @WesleyLowery and @ryanjreilly, told him what I knew. His response: "Oh, God."
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) August 14, 2014
Then:
Was arrested
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Officers decided we weren't leaving McDonalds quickly enough, shouldn't have been taping them.
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
Well, @WesleyLowery and I have been released. That was an experience.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 14, 2014
I just talked to the Ferguson chief again about Wes and Ryan. "I told them to release them," he said of the riot command.
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) August 14, 2014
Officers slammed me into a fountain soda machine because I was confused about which door they were asking me to walk out of
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
And it's not even dark yet. #Ferguson
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) August 14, 2014