Reporters covering Ferguson, Mo., protests detained

Two reporters, Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post and Ryan J. Reilly of the Huffington Post, who are covering the protests in Ferguson, Mo., following the shooting of an unarmed black teenager, were apparently detained in a McDonald’s there Wednesday but quickly released.

Storified by Los Angeles Times· Thu, Aug 14 2014 02:03:21

Police come into McD where me and @ryanjreilly working. Try to kick everyone out.Wesley Lowery

SWAT just invade McDonald's where I'm working/recharging. Asked for ID when I took photo. https://t.co/FOIsMnBwHyRyan J. Reilly

Just saw two reporters in ferguson cuffed and put in cop vanJon Swaine

Tried to get closer to confirm identities of reporters being arrested. Was marched at by cops in riot gear and threatened with arrestJon Swaine

Photo of reporter I believe to be @ryanjreilly being cuffed and put in a police van minutes ago in #Ferguson https://t.co/l6olRUPk13Jon Swaine

I just called Ferguson police chief to ask about @WesleyLowery and @ryanjreilly, told him what I knew. His response: "Oh, God."Matt Pearce

Ferguson chief tells me he was looking into the @WesleyLowery and @ryanjreilly situation; they had both interviewed him earlier today.Matt Pearce

To clarify: The "oh, God" was delivered in a tone of shock.Matt Pearce

Was arrestedWesley Lowery

Also Ryan Reilly of Huff Po. Assaulted and arrestedWesley Lowery

Well, @WesleyLowery and I have been released. That was an experience.Ryan J. Reilly

Officers decided we weren't leaving McDonalds quickly enough, shouldn't have been taping them.Wesley Lowery

Released without any charges, no paperwork whatsoeverWesley Lowery

Refusing to give us any names of the officersWesley Lowery

On MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show," Lowery said officers eventually directed him to leave. He said he was gathering his things and preparing to leave while asking questions about which door to take when his bag slipped off his shoulder. He said he then told officers he was going to adjust his bag and that's when officers said, "Let's take him" and he was forcibly removed and put in temporary restraints.



Officers slammed me into a fountain soda machine because I was confused about which door they were asking me to walk out ofWesley Lowery

Was waiting to be taken away, large black man SCREAMING for help in back of police truckWesley Lowery

They refused his several calls for paramedicsWesley Lowery

"I'm dying. I'm dying. Please call help he screamed." They mocked himWesley Lowery

I just talked to the Ferguson chief again about Wes and Ryan. "I told them to release them," he said of the riot command.Matt Pearce

Ferguson chief told me his staff didn't know about Wes and Aryan's arrest, ops are being run by St. Louis County tonight.Matt Pearce

Ferguson chief tells me @WesleyLowery and @ryanjreilly's arresters were "probably somebody who didn't know better."Matt Pearce

Unfortunately my last Vine featuring the officer who assaulted me was deleted when other my phone died.Ryan J. Reilly

And it's not even dark yet. #FergusonMatt Pearce

Got no explaination at any point why in custody other than "trespassing" - at a mcdonalds where we were customersWesley Lowery

I'm emotional, but need to note: Ryan and I are fine. Have seen people in Ferguson hurt by gas/rubber bullets. This wasn't thatWesley Lowery

"The chief thought he was doing you a favor" - police officer tells me about release. With no charges, no police reportWesley Lowery

It's as if the arrest and the assaults never took place. Just opened the doors and let is out as if we'd let it goWesley Lowery

My statement on arrest of @wesleylowery in Ferguson: "assault on the freedom of the press to cover the news" https://t.co/APWzcLdWVIMarty Baron