Dean James III% AMERICA’S FREEDOM FIGHTERS –

After a second night of rioting, police in St. Louis are anticipating a third day of protests following the acquittal of a former police officer in the fatal shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith.

A group of rioters who refused to disperse Saturday night clashed with police as the ‘protests’ turned violent for a second night in a row.

The rioters broke windows at dozens of businesses and threw rocks, bottles, bricks and other objects at police, who moved in and made dozens of arrests.

More than 30 protesters were arrested Friday.

St. Louis police reported that 10 officers had suffered injuries by the end of Friday night, including a broken jaw and dislocated shoulder, and some journalists reported being the target of threats from demonstrators.

Two of the city police officers were injured by thrown bricks, police said. They were taken to a hospital, with one officer’s injuries described as “serious.” A third officer was hurt but declined treatment.

Saturday’s confrontation took place in the Delmar Loop of the St. Louis suburb of University City — known for concert venues, restaurants, shops and bars. The area had been the scene of a peaceful march earlier in the evening to protest a judge’s ruling Friday clearing ex-Officer Jason Stockley of first-degree murder in the 2011 shooting of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith. That march ended with organizers calling for people to leave and reconvene Sunday afternoon, Fox News reported.

Organizers are planning to hold a “die in” on Sunday at 3 p.m. near St. Louis Police headquarters on Olive Street, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

But the small group that stayed behind drew hundreds of police in riot gear, who moved in and ordered them to leave.

A reporter for The Associated Press found at least half of the businesses on one side of the street with broken windows along a two block area.

Sam Thomas, who was helping his friend clean up the glass from the shattered windows of his business, OSO, a clothing and accessories boutique, said he understood why people were angry. The U.S. justice system is broken and needs to be fixed, Thomas said.

“I’m not saying this is the right way to fix it,” he said of the damage.

“The window isn’t murdered. Nobody is going to have a funeral for the window. We can replace it.”

Earlier Friday, FOX2 in St. Louis captured video of an elderly woman being knocked down and trampled by riot police. That woman, who was unidentified, was charged with “interfering,” St. Louis police tweeted Saturday.

“Woman knocked down during demonstration shown in @FOX2now‘s video failed to obey officers’ orders & was charged w/ “Interfering” #STLVerdict”

Woman knocked down during demonstration shown in @FOX2now's video failed to obey officers' orders & was charged w/ "Interfering" #STLVerdict

— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017

“Watch the lady wearing red in the bottom right of the screen. Police using pepper spray on protesters marching after the Stockley ruling.”

Watch the lady wearing red in the bottom right of the screen. Police using pepper spray on protesters marching after the Stockley ruling pic.twitter.com/XF16yxDQqg

— FOX2now (@FOX2now) September 15, 2017

“Rocks & water bottles have been thrown at our officers throughout the day. Officers used great restraint. #STLVerdict”

Rocks & water bottles have been thrown at our officers throughout the day. Officers used great restraint. #STLVerdict pic.twitter.com/LIl2OxKhcO

— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 15, 2017

Earlier in the day, protesters took to the streets near the Civil Courts building at Market Street and Tucker Boulevard, demonstrating their opposition to the decision by throwing rocks, bricks, glass bottles and anything they could get their hands on at police officers.

Later that afternoon, some people jumped on a police SUV near the corner of Tucker Boulevard and Clark Avenue and smashed the windshield. Police officers, some in black riot gear and holding police shields, approached the crowd as some demonstrators shouted expletives at them and threw water bottles. Police pepper-sprayed several demonstrators who remained on the street after being ordered to disperse.

“Agitators damaging a police car. Those causing destruction distract from the mission of peaceful protesters. #STLVerdict”

Agitators damaging a police car. Those causing destruction distract from the mission of peaceful protesters. #STLVerdict pic.twitter.com/Rbtpo1gAxc

— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 15, 2017

Officer Jason Stockley, 36, could have been sentenced to up to life in prison without parole for shooting 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith five times after a high-speed chase. He told the court he saw Smith holding a gun and felt he was in imminent danger.

Prosecutors, however, accused Stockley of planting the gun in Smith’s car after he was shot.

Stockley told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the burden of having to kill someone never totally lifts. The former officer said he was concerned for first-responders and protesters and doesn’t want to see anyone hurt over the ruling.

He said he “can feel for” and “understand” what Smith’s family is facing, but that he’s not to blame.

This is an ongoing situation.

Stay tuned.

God Bless.

FOLLOW us on Facebook at Nation In Distress!

 Please share this on Facebook and Twitter!