Cops Overwhelmed, Ed Sheeran, U2 Cancel St. Louis Concerts

Protests raged a second night in St. Louis over the acquittal of a white police officer in the death of a black motorist, with protesters breaking windows of dozens of businesses and throwing bricks at police. At least nine people were arrested in the unrest, which kept police so busy that NPR notes they pulled out of providing security for two big concerts, prompting their cancellation. "We have been informed by the St. Louis Police Department that they are not in a position to provide the standard protection for our audience," said U2 in cancelling Saturday night's concert, calling the move "the only acceptable course of action in the current environment." Ed Sheeran also cancelled his sold-out show on Sunday night over similar security concerns, saying it "was in everyone's best interest." More protests were planned for Sunday afternoon, notes the AP. (More St. Louis stories.)