The St. Louis alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is being asked to resign from his position on the police oversight board after he was arrested. Ferguson, MissouriA police officer was pushed to the pavement during a protest on Friday and is now fighting for his life.
Keith Rose, a member of the St. Louis city’s civilian oversight board that reviews allegations of police misconduct, is accused of kicking in part of a metal gate outside the Ferguson Police Department during a protest and has now been charged with first-degree property damage. According to Fox 2,
Video footage released by police shows Rose in front of the gate on Friday with a group of protesters trying to tear down the black gate. Among those at the gate was Elijah Gantt, 28, who shortly afterward pushed Ferguson police Officer Travis Brown as the officer was trying to apprehend him. Brown suffered serious brain injuries after hitting his head in the fall. Gantt can be seen in an additional video on Friday with a bullhorn in front of the police gate, appearing to incite protesters who were moving the gate.
Photo of Keith Rose (left) and a screenshot of the attack on a police officer on Friday. (Ferguson Police Department)
Now, three members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen have called on Rose to resign from the oversight board, citing his arrest. This comes after the Missouri Democratic Party announced Rose had decided to voluntarily step down as an uncommitted alternate delegate to the DNC.
According to KSDK, the letter written by the three aldermen said, “As a result of the allegations made against Mr. Rose in this matter, we no longer believe Mr. Rose can be considered neutral and unbiased in matters relating to oversight of the St. Louis City Police Department.”
However, the outlet reports, three other aldermen said they support Rose and demanded due process be followed.
Content warning: graphic video
Still, Rose’s attorney, Javed Khazaeli, told the outlet that Rose has recused herself from all board activities other than training. Rose lists herself as a paralegal LGBT activist on her LinkedIn profile.
Khazaeli previously said in a statement to FOX 2 that the accusations are false and that photos show Rose was not involved in damaging the fence.
“We are confused as to why he has been charged,” Khazaeli said. statement,
Rose (left) and Gant (right) stand outside the police gate on Friday. (Ferguson Police Department)
The Missouri Democratic Party said in a statement that it condemns the violence that left Brown seriously injured and sent its best wishes to him and his family.
A statement from the group said, “While the right to engage in peaceful assembly is fundamental to our democracy, violence is never acceptable. Keith Rose has decided to voluntarily step down as an uncommitted alternate delegate to the D.N.C.”
New graphic video taken from two different angles shows Officer Brown being struck by Gant on the sidewalk outside the police station during the protests on the 10th anniversary of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.
New video taken from CCTV and another police officer’s bodycam was played at a news conference on Tuesday and showed Gant running over Officer Brown as he fled, whose head hit the pavement. Officer Brown, who is black, was unconscious and lying on his back with the suspect lying on his chest when other officers quickly arrived and pounced on the suspect.
He remains in a critical condition and a prayer service was held for him last night. He has twin daughters and his family described him in a statement as “a devoted father” and a man of “strong faith”.
Community members, police, first responders and clergy gathered outside the Ferguson Police Department on Tuesday.
“It’s great to see us all come together,” Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones told attendees, according to KSDK. “Ferguson is no longer Ground Zero. It’s Ground Zero of Hope.”
Ferguson police officer Travis Brown (left) was seriously injured after being violently shoved by a suspect during the Michael Brown protests on Friday. (Ferguson Police Department)
Police Chief Troy Doyle called Officer Brown “a model officer.” “He’s an officer the community would want,” Doyle said, according to the outlet.
Two other officers were also injured Friday, one suffering an ankle injury and the other abrasions. Both were treated at the scene.
There were massive protests after the death of Michael Brown, which helped strengthen this law. Black Lives Matter Movements in Ferguson, Missouri and across the country.
In 2015, the Justice Department declined to charge Darren Wilson, the officer who shot Michael Brown, but released a highly critical report that noted racial bias in the Ferguson Police Department and county courts.
Fox News’ Stephen Soares and the Associated Press contributed to this report
