But as the peaceful crowd of about 500 walked along a private, gated street, a white couple who emerged from a marble mansion had something else in mind. The White House later declined to say why he did so. Neither Krewson nor the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department immediately responded to requests for comment. For weeks, massive crowds in St. Louis — like those in cities across the United States — have rallied against police brutality and racial injustice following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month. ADOne St. Louis alderwoman said the mayor had resorted to “intimidation of the residents [she was] elected to represent.” Another called it “a move designed to silence dissent.” Scheduled in St. Louis for the following day was a rally involving the far-right Proud Boys, a group with a history of assaulting leftist protesters.

Source: Washington Post June 29, 2020 10:50 UTC