In Tense Ferguson, Mo., 2 Reporters Caught In Arrests

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When SWAT officers gathered up everyone at a McDonald's restaurant on Wednesday night, they arrested not just locals, but reporters for The Washington Post and The Huffington Post, The Associated Press reports.

Both reporters later were released without being charged.

Well, @WesleyLowery and I have been released. That was an experience. — Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 14, 2014

Apparently, in America, in 2014, police can manhandle you, take you into custody, put you in cell & then open the door like it didn't happen — Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014

The Associated Press said Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson didn't respond to a request for comment, but Los Angeles Times reporter Matthew Pearce said that, when reached, Jackson reacted with shock about the situation, and a few minutes later told him he'd ordered the reporters' release.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the arrests followed another tense day of protests.

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A march down West Florissant Avenue from Chambers Road ended at the corner of Canfield Drive, not far from where Michael Brown was shot. A crowd of about 100 people congregated at the corner. They were surrounded on three sides by police who were keeping their distance. Many were calmly repeating the now-familiar chant, "No justice, no peace." Among them, a group of about seven young men were angrily yelling and demanding that police officials release the name of the police officer who shot Michael Brown. Later three armored vehicles approached the crowd, which had been largely quiet and peaceful. Some members of the crowd grew agitated.

The Associated Press reports that, as on previous nights, the conflict later escalated: