An alternate St. Louis delegate to the Democratic National Convention who was arrested Friday during protests in Ferguson, Missouri, where a police officer was slammed to the ground and put his life at risk, is facing calls to resign from his position on a police oversight board.
Keith Rose, a member of St. Louis’ civilian oversight committee that reviews allegations of police misconduct, is currently facing a charge of first-degree property damage for allegedly kicking down part of a metal gate outside the Ferguson police station during a protest. According to Fox 2.
Video footage released by police shows Rose at the black gate on Friday with a group of protesters attempting to break it down. One of those at the gate was 28-year-old Elijah Gant, who Ferguson Police Officer Travis Brown knocked down shortly after as he tried to grab him. Brown hit his head in the fall and suffered a severe brain injury. Additional video from Friday shows Gant with a bullhorn in front of the police gate, encouraging protesters to shake the gate.
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On the left is a photo of suspect Keith Rose’s arrest, and on the right is a screenshot from Friday’s attack on a police officer. (Ferguson Police Department)
Now, three St. Louis City Council members are calling on Rose to resign from the Oversight Committee in light of his arrest, following the Missouri Democratic Party’s announcement that Rose has decided to voluntarily step down from his position as an independent alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
“As a result of the charges filed against Mr. Rose in this matter, we no longer feel that Mr. Rose can be viewed as neutral and impartial on matters relating to the oversight of the St. Louis Police Department,” the three council members wrote in the letter, according to KSDK.
However, the other three city council members supported Rose and called for due process to be followed, the outlet reported.
Content warning: Graphic video
However, Rose’s lawyer, Javad Khazaeri, told the outlet that Rose had resigned from all board activities except for training. Rose describes herself as a paralegal LGBT activist on her LinkedIn profile.
Khazaeli previously said in a statement to Fox 2 that the charges are trumped up and that photos show Rose had no involvement in destroying the fence.
“We are confused as to why he was charged,” Kazaeri said. statement.
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Mr Rose (left) and Mr Gant (right) are pictured outside the police gates on Friday. (Ferguson Police Department)
In a statement, the Missouri Democratic Party condemned the violence that left Brown seriously injured and offered condolences to him and his family.
“The right to peacefully assemble is fundamental to our democracy, but violence will never be tolerated. Keith Rhodes has voluntarily decided to withdraw from his position as an independent alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention,” the group said in a statement.
Shocking new video, filmed from two different angles, shows Officer Brown being seemingly punched by Gant on the sidewalk outside the police station during protests marking the 10th anniversary of the shooting of Michael Brown.
Newly released CCTV and body camera video from another officer shown at Tuesday’s press conference shows Gant taking a running start and slamming into Brown, causing Brown’s head to hit the pavement hard. Brown, who is black, is unconscious and the suspect is lying on his chest, face up, as other officers rush to the scene and tackle the suspect.
His condition remains critical and prayers were offered for him last night. He has twin daughters and in a statement his family described him as a “devoted father” and a man of “strong faith”.
Community members, police, emergency personnel and clergy gathered outside the Ferguson Police Station on Tuesday.
“It’s great that we’re all united,” Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones shouted to the attendees, according to KSDK. “Ferguson is no longer the epicenter. This is a place of hope.”
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Ferguson Police Officer Travis Brown (left) was seriously injured after being violently shoved to the ground by a suspect during Friday’s Michael Brown protest. (Ferguson Police Department)
Police Chief Troy Doyle called Officer Brown an “exemplary officer.” “He’s the kind of officer the community wants,” Doyle told the outlet.
Two other officers were also injured Friday, one with a wounded ankle and the other with abrasions. Both were treated at the scene.
Michael Brown’s death sparked mass demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri and across the United States and solidified the Black Lives Matter movement.
In 2015, the Department of Justice declined to indict Darren Wilson, the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, but released a highly critical report that identified racism in the Ferguson Police Department and county courthouse.
Fox News’ Steven Sorellice and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
