Young Ferguson commissioner plans to fight protest assault charge

15th December 2014   ·   0 Comments

By Rebecca Rivas
Contributing Writer

(Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American) – Rasheen Aldridge, a young protest leader who serves on the governor-appointed Ferguson Commission, has been charged with third-degree assault after he attempted to enter St. Louis City Hall during a November 26 demonstration.

Aldridge’s attorney Jerryl Christmas said they plan on fighting the charge, which is a misdemeanor. A video posted on YouTube shows Aldridge, 20, to the left of the door, trying to enter the doorway while a security guard stood in front of it.

“Of course he did not assault the officer,” Christmas said. “This is a bogus charge. Looking at the video, you don’t see him intentionally act against that law enforcement officer.”

Christmas said Aldridge was protesting and trying to get into City Hall, which is a public building and that is no stranger to Ferguson protests inside its walls. There were no signs that said the building was closed, Christmas said, and the guards gave no reason why they were preventing the citizens from entering the building.

Rev. Starsky Wilson, co-chair of the Ferguson Commission, told the St. Louis American in an interview Thursday, “We’ve seen nothing that would affect his status as a commissioner. He’s a valued member of the commission.”

The protest occurred two days after a St. Louis County grand jury decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown Jr. Aldridge and a group of about 100 protestors had stopped at City Hall as part of their march around the downtown area, which started at 10:30 a.m. that Wednesday.

According to the charging documents from the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, City Hall went on lock down “out of security concerns” before the protestors arrived.
“Several individuals rushed the doors at City Hall, attempting to gain entry,” according to a probably cause statement for Aldridge’s charge. “The individuals broke the door and C.U., a city marshal, stood at the door, blocking the individuals from entering City Hall.”

Aldridge was among the group that tried to enter the building and was chanting outside the door, according to the statement. Aldridge allegedly “pushed” the city marshal blocking the door.

Christmas said the charge is an attempt to assassinate his character as a member of the Ferguson Commission.

The Don’t Shoot Coalition released a statement Thursday condemning Aldridge’s charge and objecting to “the widespread targeting of protests leaders.” The coalition said several protest leaders have been arrested after actions, held on exaggerated charges and put on 24-hour holds.

“Numerous activists in our movement have been followed, harassed and intimidated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police and other local police agencies,” said Michael T. McPhearson, Don’t Shoot co-chair and executive director of Veterans For Peace. “The treatment of Rasheen stands out as politically motivated in response to his leadership on the ground and as a Ferguson Commission member.”

Aldridge has been a leader in numerous actions over the years, and he recently met with Mayor Francis Slay to discuss city policy changes that included civilian review for police. On Dec. 1, he was among a group of Ferguson protest leaders nationwide who met with President Obama regarding police brutality and accountability.

Aldridge was not the only one charged for assault for the Nov. 26 protest.

Zach Chasnoff, a former organizer with Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment (MORE), was also charged with Class C third degree assault for allegedly pushing a marshal. On Saturday, eight police officers arrested him while grocery shopping with his wife, according to the coalition. After being arrested, the cops took his handcuffs off and one officer allegedly “got in Chasnoff’s face and urged Chasnoff to punch him,” the coalition leaders said. Chasnoff’s wife was also allegedly intimidated and harassed by officers while inside the Schnuck’s grocery store. Chasnoff was put on a 24-hour hold.

“The Don’t Shoot Coalition calls on Mayor Slay and all law enforcement leaders to control their police forces,” said McPhearson. “Those who ‘serve and protect’ must demonstrate a greater respect for democratic rights. It’s time to drop all charges against protesters and stop targeting perceived political leaders.”

This article originally published in the December 15, 2014 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.