As some of the nearly sixty protesters were celebrating their release from custody following a direct action in front of the Thomas Eagleton Federal Court Building earlier this afternoon, evening commuters were met by protesters on I-70 near 270 and the Blanchette Bridge.
Organized by Millennial Activists United, about 50 demonstrators and legal observers were on site as human barricades were created to block I-70 in both directions.
Bright colored boxes with popular protests phrases such as “racism lives here” written across them were strategically placed along the highway as well.
The protest began a 5 p.m., peak rush hour time, and transpired for about 40 minutes or so.
“Show me what democracy looks like,” and “If we can’t get it, shut it down” were shouted by the protesters as traffic came to a complete standstill.
One motorist in an SUV managed to push through the barricade, nearly injuring several protesters. But other vehicles would be forced to wait until law enforcement arrived to reopen the interstate.
According to The St. Louis County Police Department, between 30-40 officers arrived to the scene of the demonstration.
The first arrest took place after law enforcement chased down demonstrators to the shoulder and a young man ran towards the highway. He was slammed to the ground by a handful of county police before being taken into custody.
Individuals who didn’t immediately retreat to their vehicles were also arrested – including legal observers.
St. Louis County Police say roughly sixty were taken into custody.
There is no word as of yet where the detained protesters will be held or how they will be charged for their act of civil disobedience.
Another action was simultaneously underway in Clayton as protesters marched against Enterprise Holdings claiming that the Taylor Family and its corporation receives profits from the prison system.
