Authorities say the protest was the worst they have seen since the August shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown.
Just hours before the chaos, a St. Louis grand jury declined to indict police officer Darren Wilson.
In August, Wilson reportedly shot and killed Brown during a confrontation.
Officer Wilson could still face a justice department investigation for possibly violating Brown’s civil rights and he faces an internal investigation by the Ferguson police.
Brown’s family reportedly plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Wilson.
Lawyers for the family spoke about strenuously objecting to the prosecutor and the grand jury process.
“We went through as much of it as we could, and saw how completely unfair this process was,” said Benjamin Crump, Brown’s family attorney. “We object publicly and loudly as we can on behalf of Michael Brown Jr.’s family, that this process is broken.”
Meantime, the mayor of St. Louis said the chaos and violence in Ferguson do not represent the people of the community.
"I want to first and foremost condemn the terrible violence that occurred in Ferguson,” said Mayor Francis Slay. “It’s unacceptable. It’s wrong. The vast majority of people living in our region condemn it as well.”
President Barack Obama said there is a need to recognize the chaos there as not just an issue for Ferguson but an issue for America.
“We need to recognize that the situation in Ferguson speaks to broader challenges that we still face as a nation,” said Obama. “The fact is in too many parts of this country a deep distrust exists between law enforcement and communities of color.”
According to the Pew Research Institute, there are more than 4,000 Filipinos in the county of St. Louis, which Ferguson is part of.
But specifically in the city of Ferguson, where the violence has taken place, the US Census of 2010 cites that there are only 14 Filipinos there.
The Philippine consulate of Chicago has jurisdiction over Missouri.
"Wala naman akong nabalitaang untoward na pangyayari. They are all safe and we are certain they know where to go. As of this moment, we haven't had any report of any injuries or untoward incidents (involving Filipinos)," Consul General Generoso Calonge told Balitang America via Skype from Chicago.
Calonge said they likewise have no information yet of Filipinos who have joined the protests.
"Wala kaming kilalang kasama sa protesta. Ang naririnig lang namin ay nasa mga lugar na safe lang sila. We are not in touch with anybody who has joined the protest," he said.
Meanwhile, a Filipino-American who is part of Amnesty International USA was gassed twice in the middle of the protests.
Kalayaan Mendoza recounted hearing cries which he described as if "people had lost someone" when decision was announced.
"From there, the grief spread," he said.
Mendoza also recalled being gassed twice.
"We were inside a cafe with several dozen other protesters and community members, people having tea just taking a moment to rest. All of a sudden someone said everyone get inside, and I felt fumes of smoke outside the cafe and the cafe suddenly started filling up with teargas," he said.
The scenario was "frightening" he said.
"No one should ever have to deal with it especially in this country," he said.
He believes that it was the police who incited the violence.
"No one was doing anything to provoke the police and all of a sudden they started shooting tear gas canister at the building and towards the people," he said.
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source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
