(CN) - Police officers had the right to enter a condemned building to kick out visiting protesters at a St. Louis conference, the 8th Circuit ruled. The FBI warned St. Louis Police that violent anarchists may be planning to infiltrate peaceful protesters at the World Agricultural Forum.
The protesters sued after police entered two buildings and arrested five protesters. The officers found flammable materials and a sign that said "Kill Police."
The district court upheld the arrests since they were pursuant to a condemnation order. However, the district court ruled against the police for unlawful entry, search and seizure.
Judge Loken disagreed.
"Plaintiffs cite no authority," Loken wrote, "that police may not enter a condemned building to search for and seize contraband, evidence of a crime, and items such as flammable liquids that should not be allowed to remain in an uninhabitable urban structure."
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