Police in Ferguson used what became known as the Five Second Rule as grounds to arrest protesters. The order given to protesters was to keep moving. If a protester was in one place for at least five seconds, they would be arrested. The ACLU is challenging the rule in court, and a judge’s ruling could have a major impact on protesters.
The ACLU argues that the law does not exist in the First Amendment. During a testimony Monday, a protestor showed a cell phone video of officers telling protesters this past weekend that there was no designated area for demonstrators, and they had to keep moving.
Critics say that the rule was enforced arbitrarily as some officers enforced it and others did not.
Police testified that Captain Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol believed it would help prevent an outbreak of violence. Other police leaders were in agreement.
