Sixteen people testified for the ACLU Wednesday, including protesters, a legal observer, a videographer, a candidate for St. Louis license collector, a businessman, a city alderman and downtown residents.

Those who were watching or were protesting told Perry they were not committing any crimes but were hit with pepper spray by police. Many said that they did not hear any orders to disperse, and no warnings that Mace or pepper spray would be used. They said the experience made them scared to protest.

The protests followed the not guilty verdict on Sept. 15 in the murder trial of a former St. Louis police officer who fatally shot a drug suspect.

Lawyers for the city questioned what those who testified knew about any violent or illegal activity, including people who threw rocks and bottles at police.

One named plaintiff in the suit, Alison Drieth, said it felt like her face was “melting” after she was sprayed near City Hall.

Another, Maleeha Ahmad, said, “You can’t see. You can’t breathe and you think the world has ended.”

Restaurateur Chris Sommers said police shot pepper balls and tear gas at him when he questioned their presence outside his Central West End pizzeria.