St Louis Rams players raise arms before NFL game in show of Ferguson protest solidarity

FIVE St. Louis Rams players stood with their arms raised in an apparent show of solidarity for Ferguson protesters.

FIVE St. Louis Rams players stood with their arms raised in an apparent show of solidarity for Ferguson protesters before trotting onto the field for pregame introductions.

A Rams spokesman said Sunday the team was not aware the gesture had been planned before the game against Oakland.

Tavon Austin #11, Jared Cook #89, Chris Givens #13 of the St. Louis Rams pay homage to Mike Brown.

Wide receivers Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt came out together first, with the move obscured by a smoke machine in the upper reaches of the Edward Jones Dome. Stedman Bailey, Jared Cook and Chris Givens — all of whom are black — then came out and stood together with arms raised.

After Tre Mason scored on an 8-yard run to make it 45-0 in the fourth quarter, he and Britt raised their hands together.

There have been riots, looting and buildings burned in Ferguson since a grand jury declined Monday to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed Michael Brown in August.

Celebrities and sports fans alike expressed their outrage after the grand jury decision.

As a society how do we do better and stop things like this happening time after time!! I'm so sorry to… http://t.co/VTe0rwXeek

— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 25, 2014

Disgusted by decision in furguson. Racism is learned. Accepted is systematic suffocation of education and opportunity. What are we saying?

— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) November 25, 2014

Man thoughts and prayers to people of Ferguson tonight it's about to UGLY! 😳

— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) November 25, 2014

Wow. Just wow. Shameful. What will it take???

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) November 25, 2014

The Wade family hearts and prayers go out the the Brown family..

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 25, 2014

We should be sending all our energy and love to the Brown family!!!! do something positive and selfless rt now #lovetoTHEBROWNFAMILY

— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) November 25, 2014

The system enables young black men to be killed behind the mask of law #Ferguson #tippingpoint #change

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) November 25, 2014

We must work together to stop the unnecessary loss of young men of color. Justice was not served in Ferguson.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 25, 2014

Across the street from the stadium, about 75 protesters gathered in the second half as about 30 police wearing riot gear watched from a safe distance. Protesters chanted “Hands up, don’t shoot!” ‘‘No Justice, No Football!” ‘‘This is what Democracy looks like,” and “We’re here for Mike Brown.”

The Rams had additional security measures in place for the game, including armed personnel from the National Guard. The team has wanded fans outside entrances all season.

On another front inside the stadium, a group of fans formed letters spelling “Keep the Rams in St. Louis” in seats in the north end zone.

Police arrest a protest organiser following the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Oakland Raiders.

Originally published as St Louis Rams players raise arms before NFL game in show of Ferguson protest solidarity