News & Commentary

ST. LOUIS –  The ACLU of Missouri today filed a lawsuit against the city of St. Louis and St. Clair County, Ill., for police misconduct during protests following the killing of Mansur Ball-Bey by a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officer in 2015.

Today, the ACLU of Missouri asked a federal court to require the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to immediately adopt protocols to protect the Constitutional rights of those observing, recording or participating in protest activity.

“Based on the evidence we’ve seen, we believe an outside investigation into police treatment of protestors and those engaged in civil disobedience following the Stockley verdict is a step in the right direction,” said Tony Rothert, legal director at the ACLU of Missouri. “In a robust democracy, we must always protect the Constitutional rights of those observing, recording or participating in protest activity.”

Dear County Executive Stenger, Mayor Thomson and Chief Belmar:Em

ST. LOUIS – The ACLU of Missouri filed a lawsuit today against the city of St. Louis for unlawful and unconstitutional actions against people during the Stockley verdict demonstrations of the past week.

"We thank Mayor Krewson for responding to our concerns about police."  -- Jeffrey Mittman, Executive Director, ACLU of Missouri

Dear Mayor Krewson,

“Since Friday’s verdict in the Stockley case, protests in St. Louis have been largely peaceful and nonviolent.