Professor Cornel West and forty-nine other people were arrested this week, according to Ferguson Police for Disturbing the Peace. Here's the thing, though. When people are being shot at -- in this case, largely young black men some of whom are unarmed -- on a regular basis by a well armed paramilitary group -- in this case, the local police force, how can that be considered "peace?" If peace is already lacking, as implied by well armed, shielded forces that strive to intimidate through shows of force, what peace are the non-violent protesters disturbing by trying to walk past?
Of all that has occurred in recent weeks in Ferguson, Dr. West and his fellow protestors are among the least disturbing elements by a long shot.