Robert Klemko of The MMQB, Sports Illustrated’s NFL website, is in Ferguson, Missouri. He was temporarily arrested Sunday night by Captain Ronald Johnson as the city again devolved into scenes of terror. Klemko live-tweeted the entire encounter including the tear gas, his arrest, and subsequent release.
Tear gas! Police fought advancing crowd with armored vehicles and gas. Over 20 bombs. #Ferguson
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
More tear gas. At least 10 cans. Police didn't anticipate a rush up Florissant. "DISPERSE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY"
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
I got tear-gassed good. Cop grabs me, drags me to truck and hands me water. "You media??" "YES" "hahahahaha Welcome to Ferguson!"
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
Trying to get back down to Florissant. Cut off after gas launch. All overheard radio chatter indicating mayhem down there.
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
I heard talk of a march past the south barricade but didn't think twice about it. When it happened, police responded aggressively. #Ferguson
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
Cops said they would arrest if I continued to retreat the gas, so I ran into it and got 2 water bottles from a masked cop. Incredible relief
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
Just spoke with Capt Johnson. They've quarantined me and two other journos. Not allowed to view Florissant. "They tried to take the command"
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
Capt Johnson is now arresting us.
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
Captain Johnson arrested us for 2 minutes. We pleaded that we had followed every instruction. He let us go.
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
They had to cut my cuffs off with a knife. Here's Capt Johnson assisting. pic.twitter.com/IH7GHV5h74
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
About 25 minutes after the gas attack, with the smoke cleared and the area secure, we attempted to go back down the street to report.
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
Cops stopped us. We explained ourselves. They said to walk away. We said why. They said command center was attacked. I said no it wasn't.
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
Capt Johnson said walk away or be arrested. I started walking away. They followed and arrested us.
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
When they cut cuffs off minutes later, I held onto it. Johnson tried to take it. I said "it's a ferguson souvenir." pic.twitter.com/89t6G49FId
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
Entire goal was to document police action towards protesters. Johnson wouldn't let us enter a visibly secured area.
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 18, 2014
Klemko filed a lengthy piece at The MMQB on David Bass of the Bears, who grew up near Ferguson and experienced racial profiling, but right now it’s unknown what further coverage Sports Illustrated and The MMQB are planning as scores of individuals continue to make the journey to Ferguson.
It’s not clear why Klemko is in Ferguson as the sight of an NFL writer at the center of this massive social and political firestorm is certainly unique. Klemko had earlier tweeted on Saturday that he was heading to Ferguson to “contribute to the coverage.”
On my way to Ferguson to contribute to the coverage. If you only follow me for the NFL info (I don't know why you would), I apologize.
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) August 16, 2014
UPDATE: Klemko isn’t writing for Sports Illustrated, but rather for corporate partner Time Magazine. He filed this story for Time from Ferguson in the early hours of Monday morning.
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