OK, now you know things are out of control in Ferguson, Missouri: according to several sources, Hedy Epstein, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, was one of eight protesters picked up by police Monday night, when they demonstrated against Governor Jay Nixon’s decision to throw National Guard troops into the already crazed city.
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The rally was organized by a group called Organization for Black Struggle, protesting the police killing of the unarmed black teenager Michael Brown.
The group announced on Facebook:
“At 3 PM on Monday, August 18th, we are calling on Governor Nixon to meet with representatives from the Organization for Black Struggle. We also ask the people of St. Louis to rally at that time to demand a de-escalation of police violence. This meeting with Governor Nixon cannot wait. The lives of the people of Ferguson are at stake. Those who support a return to democratic values are urged to meet us at 3PM today at Kiener Plaza. We will then march to the governor’s office, where our representatives will expect to meet with him. Effective policing does not need to include masses of military equipment, intimidation, and denial of constitutional rights.”
Epstein was one of 125 protesters who marched all the way up to the entrance of Governor Nixon’s office chanting, “Hey hey! Ho ho! National Guard has got to go!” according to a report in the Nation.
St. Louis police confirmed in a tweet that Epstein was, in fact, one of those arrested for “failure to disperse.”
Epstein told The Nation: “I’ve been doing this since I was a teenager. I didn’t think I would have to do it when I was 90. We need to stand up today so that people won’t have to do this when they’re 90.”