Who Is Jamilah Nasheed? Missouri State Senator Arrested In Ferguson Protesting Mike Brown Shooting

A Missouri state senator was arrested in Ferguson after disobeying a police order not to block the street while protesting the Michael Brown shooting on Monday night. Missouri State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, a Democrat who represents St. Louis, was arrested on charges of “walking in a roadway where sidewalks are accessible,” and hasn't posted bond as of Tuesday morning, St. Louis NBC-affiliate KSDK reported.

Since the Aug. 9 shooting of Brown by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, protests have been staged almost daily in the St. Louis suburb, including a string of protests dubbed “Ferguson October” over the Columbus Day weekend. Demonstrators have been calling for Wilson’s arrest and an indictment against the officer on murder charges in Brown’s shooting. Brown, 18, was unarmed when he was shot and killed by Wilson. Supporters of the Ferguson teen claim he had his hands up in surrender when Wilson pulled the trigger, while police claimed Brown attacked the officer, prompting the shooting.

Nasheed was arrested as Ferguson police and St. Louis County Police Department officers were trying to enforce an ordinance prohibiting protesters from standing in the middle of the street by the Ferguson police station, according to KSDK. Nasheed and another protester, Jefonte Nelson, were walking and standing in the middle of the street by the station and were warned to comply with the ordinance, but they refused, police told KSDK. They were then arrested for walking in a roadway where sidewalks are accessible.

Nasheed was taken to the St. Ann Police Department. She hadn't posted bond as of 7 a.m. Tuesday local time. The Ferguson police station was the site of a few protests during Ferguson October. Earlier this month, activist Cornel West and a number of clergy were arrested after they broached a police line separating officers clad in riot gear from the demonstrations.