KANSAS CITY, Mo. --
Demonstrators closed down streets and packed the malls in St. Louis Friday night and into Saturday.
?
The acquittal of former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley in the death of Anthony Lamar Smith has led to more than 30 arrests and several violent outbursts.
?
The president of Kansas City's NAACP chapter, Rev. Rodney Williams said the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson left open wounds.
?
"The extraordinary thing with that is that it does not appear that policing has changed one bit. In some instances, it's getting worse. You have police killings right here in Kansas City that have not been closed." said Williams.
?
Since February, there have been 6 officer-involved deaths in Kansas City. None have resulted in protests like we're seeing in St. Louis; none have been prosecuted.
?
"We're in a state that was birthed basically out of the Missouri Compromise, so entrenched in the DNA of Missouri is racism and white supremacy," said Williams. "And our young people, our middle-aged people and our old people, white or black should be enraged at what is happening in Kansas City, in St. Louis and throughout the entire state of Missouri."
?
Former police officer Jason Stockley says he acted in self defense, and he's pleased with the verdict.
?
"It feels like a burden is lifted but the burden of having to kill someone never really lifts," said Stockley.
So far Saturday night, protests have remained peaceful in St. Louis.
