I was under the impression that when Missouri Governor Nixon named Captain Ron Johnson of the Highway Patrol to be in charge of the scene in Ferguson, he’d be in charge. On the night he was named (Thursday) the town appeared to be pretty peaceful and all the military hardware and heavy weaponry was out of sight. But each night since then the cops in riot gear appear to be back in charge. I’m wondering if Capt. Johnson is being used as the token Black guy and set up for a fall here.

Sunday night into Monday morning the cops began firing tear gas canisters at protesters, this time three hours before a midnight curfew was to begin. That was apparently in response to a gang fight which had nothing to do with the protest.

As police began gathering tactical equipment, a crowd of about 300 protesters began a planned march down West Florissant Ave. toward the staging area police have set up in a shopping center about a half-mile south. As the crowd approached, police in three armored vehicles sped toward them, stopping about 10 feet away.

“Disperse immediately,” an officer in the lead vehicle announced.

When none in the crowd did, police launched about a dozen tear gas canisters, sending the bulk of the protesters back down Florissant Ave. or ducking into nearby neighborhoods. Several stragglers were arrested at the scene.

And then the cops started driving up and down the streets in armored vehicles, wearing gas masks and protective clothing.

This police department is completely out of control.