St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell is set to enter Congress in January, replacing Rep. Cori Bush after defeating her in a Democratic primary with support from AIPAC. His office is now charging eight protesters with felonies for actions during a demonstration outside the Ferguson Police Department.
The protesters are accused of intervening in arrests, causing property damage, and attempting to disarm an officer. One protester is charged with assaulting an officer who suffered a severe brain injury. The cases are pending in the St. Louis County circuit court.
Despite criticism, Bell’s office maintains that the protesters were not charged for simply protesting. However, activists and organizers present at the protest claim that police descended on them without warning and later pushed a narrative of violence.
Bell’s decision to prosecute protesters has raised concerns about the lack of change in policing in Ferguson since Michael Brown’s killing in 2014. Critics highlight the disconnect between Bell’s promises of reform during his campaign and his current actions as he transitions to Congress.