August 15, 2014

“Hands Up, Don’t Shoot:” Peaceful Protests Across the Country Last Night

As soon as Missouri police changed tactics, it seems, the atmosphere in Ferguson did too.

Capt. Ronald Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol hugs Angela Whitman, of Berkeley, Mo., on West Florissant Avenue.David Carson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch/AP Photo

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After four nights of heavy-handed police response, a missing-in-action governor and the general appearance of a war zone, things were much calmer in Ferguson, MO, Thursday night. Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. Ronald Johnson was put in charge, and he pledged to strike a more respectful tone with protesters. It showed in the images that poured out of the small town north of St. Louis and other rallies around the country, many using the #NMOS14 hash tag to honor victims of police brutality.

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