More unease in Ferguson as troop of white patriot 'Oath Keepers' patrol its streets armed with assault rifles as police chief says their presence is 'inflammatory'
Four men carrying automatic rifles and other weapons arrive in Ferguson
'Oath Keepers' say their aim is to protect the United States Constitution
The group says it has come to Ferguson to protect a media organization
Police chiefs have said their presence is 'unnecessary and inflammatory'
Armed patriots have been seen patrolling the streets of Ferguson with assault rifles in a move described by police chiefs as 'inflammatory'
The four men identified themselves as 'Oath Keepers' as they arrived in the riot-torn Missouri city early on Tuesday morning
Oath Keepers patrol streets of Ferguson with assault rifles
The men were seen carrying automatic rifles and sidearms as they announced they were there to protect a media organization. But they sparked swift criticism from police and protesters alike.
'Their presence was both unnecessary and inflammatory,' he said, adding that police would work with county prosecutors to see if the men had broken any laws.
Another tense night in Ferguson sees nearly two dozen arrested
GUN-TOTING VOLUNTEERS WITH THE MOTTO 'NOT ON OUR WATCH!
The group has been courted by the Tea Party, count television personality Glenn Beck among their admirers and are deeply suspicious of the government.
Patrol: Members of the Oath Keepers on the roof of a Ferguson property in December last year. Each man was carrying an AR-15 assault rifle as well as handguns
'You're going to bring some uncommissioned citizens, white citizens, into a black community like this? It's disrespectful,' said Talal Ahmad, 30, who is black and has been a fixture of the last year's protests, which prompted a Justice Department review that found Ferguson's police department routinely violated city residents' civil rights.
The appearance of the four men quickly drew stares in the mostly black neighborhood, which exploded into violence again on Sunday night. A woman is pictured being arrested during the protests
Ferguson has seen months of violent protest since the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer a year ago
Sunday night's protests were punctuated by gunfire, with police shooting and critically wounding a man who they said had opened fire on them. Police are pictured making an arrest during the protests
DailyMail UK
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