Oath Keepers turn up at Michael Brown protests in Ferguson, Missouri
NBC News CASSANDRA VINOGRAD Aug 11th 2015 6:23AM2751
Man Shot at Ferguson 1-Year Anniversary Protest
Heavily-armed members of a controversial patriot group added an extra dose of unease to protests early Tuesday in Ferguson, Missouri.
The Oath Keepers organization says its members — all former military, police and first responders — pledge to "defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic."
However, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar described their presence as "both unnecessary and inflammatory."
Protesters and police confirmed that a handful of Oath Keepers with assault rifles, bulletproof vest and camouflage gear were seen early Tuesday on the streets of Ferguson, which was under a state of emergency following demonstrations pegged to the anniversary of Michael Brown's death. Hear from a reporter charged in connection to covering protests:
The St. Louis County Police Department said it would consult with the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office about the legalities of the issue.
Shawn McGuire, a spokesman for St. Louis County Police, said he did not believe officers had confronted the Oath Keepers or told to leave.
"We do not know who sent them," he added.
The Oath Keepers organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News. Members of the organization were in Ferguson late last year when protests reignited over a grand jury decision not to indict the officer, Darren Wilson, who killed Brown.
Patricia Bynes, Democratic Committeewoman of Ferguson Township, went to check on the protests early Tuesday and was surprised to find the Oath Keepers amid a heavy police presence.
"They just showed up, walking around carrying their assault rifles," she told NBC News. "There really was no need."
Bynes said the Oath Keepers' presence detracted from the real issues at heart: racial inequality.
"I would rather the story be on things we're working on in Ferguson and not the Oath Keepers," she said.
