ST. LOUIS — A Democratic National Convention (DNC) alternate delegate has withdrawn from his position after being arrested for his alleged involvement in an attack on a police department.
According to a report from The Western Journal, Keith Rose, a prominent activist for police reform and election integrity, has been charged with first-degree property damage during a protest in Ferguson, Missouri.
The incident occurred on Friday, August 11, 2024, during a demonstration marking the 10-year anniversary of the fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson. Rose, who was also a member of St. Louis' Civilian Oversight Board, allegedly kicked in a metal gate outside the Ferguson Police Department.
Rose's attorney, Javad Khazaeli, has denied the charges against his client. In a statement to KTVI, Khazaeli said:
There are pictures that show that Mr. Rose was not involved in damaging the fence. We are confused as to why he has been charged. This is the second time that Ferguson has tried to charge him with property damage, the last time being his use of Crayola chalk on a sidewalk. We are confident that we will prevail again like we did last time. Our thoughts are with the officer who was injured.
The incident has raised concerns about Rose's future on the Civilian Oversight Board, where his term is set to end on December 31, 2027. The board's mission is to provide transparency and accountability for the St. Louis City Police Department while ensuring community confidence.
During the same protest, Ferguson police officer Travis Brown suffered a critical brain injury when a protester allegedly tackled him. This incident has further complicated the situation and raised questions about the nature of the demonstration.
Rose has a history of activism and legal encounters related to protests. In 2017, he was part of a group that received a settlement of approximately $5 million from the City of St. Louis over mass arrests during a protest against the acquittal of a police officer who shot and killed a drug suspect.
As an alternate delegate to the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Rose was set to participate in the event scheduled for next week. However, following his arrest, he made the decision to withdraw from this position.
On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the Missouri Democratic Party released a statement addressing Rose's withdrawal:
Keith Rose has decided to voluntarily withdraw as an uncommitted alternate delegate to the DNC. The Missouri Democratic Party is taking appropriate action according to Party rules in replacing Mr. Rose with another uncommitted alternate from the area.
It's worth noting that Rose was an uncommitted delegate, meaning he had not pledged support to Vice President Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee.
The incident involving Rose comes just days before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. This situation, coupled with potential pro-Palestinian protests, has raised concerns about the possibility of disruptions during the event.
Some observers have drawn parallels to the 1968 Democratic National Convention, which was marked by significant protests and unrest. The party now faces the challenge of maintaining order and unity as it prepares for the upcoming presidential election.
In conclusion, Keith Rose's withdrawal as a DNC alternate delegate following his arrest has brought attention to the ongoing tensions between activists and law enforcement. The incident occurred during a protest marking the anniversary of Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, Missouri. Rose faces charges of first-degree property damage, which his attorney denies. The Democratic Party has taken steps to replace Rose as an alternate delegate, while concerns about potential disruptions at the upcoming convention in Chicago remain.
