As these things go, it’s unclear who started the fight during a meeting about establishing a Civilian Oversight Board for city police. Heated words were exchanged between St. Louis Alderman Terry Kennedy and Jeff Roorda, head of the local police officer’s association.
“How about some order in here,” Roorda shouted from the audience after a police officer’s statement was interrupted.
“You do not tell me my function,” Kennedy responded.
While witnesses say Roorda – donning “I am Darren Wilson” bracelet – shoved a woman in the aisle as he approached Kennedy, Roorda claims the woman elbowed him, and that other “anti-police radicals” escalated the situation from there.
— Robert Cohen (@kodacohen) January 29, 2015
“I was literally just trying to leave the meeting and I got caught in whatever Roorda and Kennedy had going on in their exchange,” said Cachet Currie, the woman allegedly pushed. “Roorda just jumped out into the aisle, pushed me over, and tried to get to Kennedy. I’m like ‘wait a minute, don’t push me.’ Then he started going off on me, pushing me.”
Shouts erupted as others – including police officers – tried to wrest control of Roorda. People can be heard calling him a “white supremacist” and “piece of sh*t.
— Shazzarazza (@shazza_razza) January 29, 2015
— Christina Coleman (@ChristinaKSDK) January 29, 2015
Attempts were made to restart the meeting, but were unsuccessful.
Tensions have been high in the St. Louis area ever since the shooting death of unarmed Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson. Violent protests erupted over what many saw as an example of police brutality. The proposed Civilian Oversight Board would address those concerns, giving citizens a voice to help prevent unnecessary deaths at the hands of police.
No arrests were made and no injuries reported.
“We saw once again tonight how fractured our city remains,” said Alderman Antonio French, who led the call for the oversight board. “We have a lot of work to do."
