Following mass arrests on Sunday night in St. Louis, protesters have abandoned plans for another demonstration in the Delmar Loop and are instead gathering outside the city jail where people were still being released this evening.Metropolitan police arrested 123 people Sunday on the third day of protests, which were sparked by the acquittal Friday of ex-cop Jason Stockley on a murder charge.
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Chief Lawrence O'Toole acknowledged that the day's protests, which began in front of the police headquarters, were peaceful, but he claimed that a band of "criminals" hit the streets later, smashing windows and running amok.
At an early morning news conference with Mayor Lyda Krewson the chief bragged that his officers took control and "police owned the night." He estimated at the time that the number of arrests totaled more than 80, which turned out to be correct in that it was definitely more than 80.…