TWO JOURNALISTS WERE arrested and detained by police while reporting on the shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Missouri.

The shooting, which occurred in Ferguson over the weekend, has led to rallies, protests and rioting in the town.

A large police and riot police presence has been reported in the town, as well as multiple arrests.

One reporter, Wesley Lowery, told his paper the Washington Post that he was working alongside other reporters when about “half a dozen” police officers came into the restaurant, some wearing riot gear and carrying assault weapons.

He described the situation as “tense” and said he had been afraid “several times” while reporting in Ferguson.

He said that patrons were told to leave the McDonalds, with police saying it was fine for journalists to stay.

However, officers returned later and then told the reporters they needed to leave.

Lowery was arrested as he was leaving the building, after his bag fell off his shoulder. He said that he did not try to resist arrest.

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Ryan Reilly, of the Huffington Post, was also arrested in the McDonalds. The two men were taken to a holding cell for half an hour before being told they could leave without charges being filed.

Martin D Baron, executive editor of The Washington Post, said: “there was absolutely no justification for his arrest”.

In a statement about Ryan Reilly and Lowery’s arrest, the Huffington Post said it is “disturbed by their arrest and assault”.

Ryan Grim, its Washington Bureau Chief, said:

Compared to some others who have come into contact with the police department, they came out relatively unscathed, but that in no way excuses the false arrest or the militant aggression toward these journalists.

Ryan, who has reported multiple times from Guantanamo Bay, said that the police resembled soldiers more than officers, and treated those inside the McDonald’s as “enemy combatants.” Police militarization has been among the most consequential and unnoticed developments of our time, and it is now beginning to affect press freedom.

Also arrested was Antonio French, an Alderman who has been posting Vines of the unrest.

Protesters have been gathering near where he is being held to demand his release:
https://vine.co/v/MYDXzJeVwFJ

Read: Teen shooting: Tear gas and smoke bombs used on protesters>

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