Tell the St. Louis Mayor: Protect protesters. Investigate cops.

Police are out of control in St. Louis, and the Mayor has done nothing to stop them. Over the weekend of protests following the not-guilty verdict absolving Jason Stockley of accountability in the killing of Anthony Lamar Smith, police have taunted protesters saying chants like "Whose streets? Our streets?" and even trampled over an old woman and pepper-sprayed the people who tried to help her.

It's history repeating itself again and again since the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement. When Black people gather to demand an end to state violence, the state doubles down on the violence people were there to protest in the first place. Using tear gas and riot gear, the police in St. Louis have arrested over 80 people since Friday and exerted full force in an attempt to show us who has the power.

Mayor Lyda Krewson still has not condemned the rampant excessive force police are using to suppress the peaceful protesters she claims to support. After the verdict came down, Krewson was quick to express her disappointment and also made a statement in support of peaceful protesters. But now, it's time for Krewson to take action to protect protesters. That's why we're calling on her to widely condemn any use of excessive force against protesters and call a commission to investigate the actions of police during this time. And she won't have a choice if enough of us join together in making the demand.