The new curfew policy implemented Saturday night by Governor Jay Nixon and Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson appears to have been largely successful, with the overwhelming majority of protesters dispersing before midnight as instructed.
An assist appears to have been provided by Mother Nature, who came through with a rainstorm that intensified right around midnight.
pouring. not easy to type tweets could be difficult for journos in rain
— Amy K. Nelson (@AmyKNelson) August 17, 2014
Rain really is the best form of crowd control. #Ferguson
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 17, 2014
Beyond natural factors, a broad array of community leaders spent the evening imploring citizens to follow the terms of the curfew. Even the New Black Panther Party was urging compliance.
Police blocking each end of the Avenue. Black Panthers imploring people to go home. Rain falls. The crowd thins but not gone. #Ferguson
— Charlie LeDuff (@Charlieleduff) August 17, 2014
But a small group of holdouts is still out in the streets, with the police so far hesitating to confront them too aggressively.
Demonstrators have made a barricade of cars across West Florissant. pic.twitter.com/6YQa11adtW
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
