For CCN, I'm Joel Inter, imbedded with the citizens of Ferguson, Missouri. The media has been reporting that they are rioters and trouble makers, but that is not the case. Let's see if I can correct some of the misinformation.
For organizers of this event, things went better than expected. Earlier in the day, some locals were concerned that the prosecutor might charge the officer. Of course, that announcement would have overshadowed the planned decoration of the main street of town. Apparently, some of the businesses were scheduled to be remodeled today - a makeover planned for Christmas. While the media claimed that there were rioters downtown, there was no one fitting that description where I was. In fact, many of the businesses here are black owned. I was asked if there was any damage. Putting a new face on the downtown can appear messy, but no one here acted maliciously. This was planned well before the prosecutor's announcement. As to why it was done at night, one organizer pointed out that it would minimize the impact on sales.
It was amazing what the commited citizens of Ferguson managed to accomplish - coincidentally starting with the the store where Brown was alleged to have stolen some cigars. It was a carnival-like atmosphere, as locals and construction workers carefully removed merchandise to prevent it from being damaged during the remodelling.
According to people I spoke with last night, it will take a few weeks to get the downtown spruced up and ready for Christmas. From what I saw, the citizens and invited guests from out of town really dove into their work.
I was scolded by some out-of-towners for suggesting that it looked vaguely like a riot near the police station. To be clear, this was not a mob and certainly not anti-social behaviour. This was a planned event.
There was a misunderstanding early in the evening - apparently started by the major news networks. Some television viewers misinterpreted the celebration as anger, purposely set fires, the use of tear gas and destruction of property. The media kept using words like 'looters', 'troublemakers' and even 'rioters'. One reporter used the n word, 'Nuckleheads', to mislead viewers. I reviewed some of the footage this morning and was appauled. The editors must have been working overtime to make things look like there was trouble in Ferguson.
More later. For CCN, I'm Joel Inter.