Police prepare for weekend immigration protests
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) — Hundreds of demonstrations have been planned nationwide to protest the Trump istration’s increasingly firm stance on immigration enforcement.
The protests, part of a national movement called “No Kings,” include several demonstrations in the St. Louis area.
First Alert 4 reached out to a number of local departments to find out how officers may respond to the crowds. Several officers said they would plan to the First Amendment rights of the demonstrators while also enforcing laws protecting life and property.
A spokesperson for St. Louis County wrote:
“Our Department remains in regular communication with our regional partners. As always, our goal is to peaceful demonstrations while ensuring public safety. Currently, we have no indication of any elevated concerns locally.”
St. Peters, Missouri, will see both an immigration protest and a pro-Trump demonstration. A spokesperson for the department said officers were aware of both events, writing:
“Our department has experience ing public events, and we fully recognize and respect the community’s right to peacefully assemble and express their views under the First Amendment. Previous events in our city have remained peaceful, and we anticipate this one will be as well. Officers will be present in the area to public safety, safeguard property, and uphold the rights of all individuals involved.”
Organizers have held several demonstrations in the City of St. Louis over the past few days, none of which have led to any issues with law enforcement.
That includes Friday, with around 50 people outside Tower Grove Park, put on by the Uhuru Solidarity Movement. Organizer Jesse Nevel says they’re pushing back against colonialism as a whole, from north St. Louis, to Los Angeles to Palestine.
“To stand in solidarity with anti-colonial struggle,” said Nevel.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police held a briefing on Friday afternoon to discuss the planned demonstrations for the weekend. Mitch McCoy, a spokesperson for the department, said that SLMPD officers would be present to monitor the protests and would not intervene unless there was a threat to public safety.
“As long as it’s peaceful, we’ll make sure everyone can demonstrate their views and beliefs in a safe way. Make no mistake. If things turn and things escalate, then this police department will respond and will protect this community using any means necessary,” McCoy said.
Gov. Mike Kehoe has activated the Missouri National Guard to be on standby for protests. McCoy said that guardsmen would only be used at the discretion of SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy.
“The National Guard is a tool in the resource belt. Just because they’re on standby doesn’t mean they would be used,” he said.
McCoy says the National Guard would be deployed if the police chief requests it.
Mayor Cara Spencer posted about the protests on social media.
“This weekend, I trust protesters in St. Louis to once again be peaceful, and I trust the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to be equipped to protect our community,” Spencer wrote. “Under Chief Robert Tracy, the SLMPD has shown they know how to handle peaceful protest in a way that avoids escalations and protects St. Louisans’ rights to express their opinions - a fundamental value of our nation.”
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