That's the highest number of arrests at once since protests began Sept. 15 over the not-guilty ruling in the murder case against former city patrolman Jason Stockley.
The roadway Tuesday reopened shortly after 8 p.m., when the demonstrators got off the interstate at the Jefferson Avenue exit. The arrests came as the protesters began marching north on Jefferson Avenue.
Protesters were nearing Market Street when they were met by a police line and they moved onto the sidewalk.
The protesters chanted: “We don’t see a riot here. Why are you in riot gear?” and “Touch one, touch all.”
Police ordered protesters to the ground, then began systematically handcuffing them and packing them into about a dozen police vans.
After the sweep, police did not release any information on the number arrested or the charges, but St. Louis Alderman John Collins-Muhammad said 126 people were taken into custody.
Police spokeswoman Schron Jackson said Wednesday morning that police made 143 arrests of people for blocking traffic. Police were still compiling names, addresses and charges, which were expected to be...
