CLAYTON, Mo. (KMOX) - The police chief in Clayton is reacting to demonstrators telling the media they will disrupt downtown Clayton on the first business day after the St. Louis County grand jury announces its ruling in the Michael Brown case.
Chief Kevin Murphy issued a written statement, Friday, saying his department supports the right of demonstrators to be heard, but public health and safety must not be at risk.
Murphy says plans are in place to make sure vital services are not interrupted.
Below is the full statement:
“We are aware of recent media accounts announcing demonstrators’ plans to disrupt downtown Clayton on the first business day after the Grand Jury announcement. We continue to support demonstrators’ rights to have their voices heard, and part of our planning has involved maintaining the safety of demonstrators. At the same time, we cannot risk public health or safety. Organizations in downtown Clayton provide a wide array of critical services, including health care, employment services, transportation, public safety, child care, and social services for the elderly and disabled among others. These services support not just this city but also the entire county. We have plans in place to help ensure that these services aren’t interrupted.
To date, numerous demonstrations have taken place in our city related to the events that began in Ferguson over the summer. They have been largely peaceful, with few arrests.
Throughout this period, the City of Clayton and the Clayton Police Department have worked to facilitate the demonstrators’ constitutional right of assembly and expression, and to support an environment that is safe for all concerned—our residents, businesses, visitors and demonstrators. In some cases, organizers have worked with us to achieve our common goal to promote the safety of all concerned. In others, where organizers have chosen not to work with us in advance, we have remained as flexible as possible. We continue to be open to working cooperatively with organizing groups.
We also remain committed to continuing to communicate with our community about these events.”
Chief Kevin Murphy
http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/11/14/clayton-chief-vital-services-will-not-be-interrupted/
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