Five St. Louis Rams' players take to the field with arms raised in 'hands up, don't shot' gesture as show of solidarity with Ferguson protesters

• The NFL players made the gesture as they took to the field during Sunday home game against Oakland
• Gesture made another appearance after the Rams scored a touchdown in the first quarter
• A spokesman said on Sunday that the team was not aware the gesture had been planned before the game against Oakland
• About 75 protesters gathered outside the stadium as well as about 30 police wearing riot gear

By David Mccormack for MailOnline and Associated Press Reporter

Published: 17:10 EST, 30 November 2014 | Updated: 18:04 EST, 30 November 2014

There were protests in and outside the Missouri home of the St. Louis Rams on Sunday as tensions remain high almost a week after a grand jury declined to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed Michael Brown in August.

Five St. Louis Rams players stood with their arms raised in a show of solidarity for Ferguson protesters before trotting onto the field for pregame introductions at the Edward Jones Dome.

A Rams spokesman said on Sunday that the team was not aware the gesture had been planned before the game against the Oakland Raiders.

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey (12), wide receiver Tavon Austin (11), tight end Jared Cook (89), wide receiver Chris Givens (13) and wide receiver Kenny Britt (81) put their hands up to show support for Michael Brown before Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders at the Edward Jones Dome

The gesture also made another appearance after the Rams' Tre Mason, left, scored a touchdown and was congratulated by Kenny Britt

Police and Missouri National guard stand outside the Edward Jones Dome before the start of Sunday's game between the St. Louis Rams and the Oakland Raiders

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) puts his hands up to show support for Michael Brown before a game against the Oakland Raiders

Wide receivers Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt came out together first, with the move obscured by a smoke machine in the upper reaches of the stadium.

Stedman Bailey, Jared Cook and Chris Givens - all of whom are black - then came out and stood together with arms raised.

After Tre Mason scored on an 8-yard run to make it 45-0 in the fourth quarter, the gesture made another appearance when he and Britt raised their hands together.

There have been riots, looting and buildings burned in Ferguson since Monday’s grand jury verdict.

Police in riot gear respond to Michael Brown shooting protesters outside of the Edward Jones Dome during the NFL game between the Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (81) puts his hands up to show support for Michael Brown before a game against the Oakland Raiders at the Edward Jones Dome

Across the street from the stadium, about 75 protesters gathered in the second half as about 30 police wearing riot gear watched from a safe distance

Across the street from the stadium, about 75 protesters gathered in the second half as about 30 police wearing riot gear watched from a safe distance.

Protesters chanted ‘Hands up, don't shoot!’ ‘No Justice, No Football!’ ‘This is what Democracy looks like,’ and ‘We're here for Mike Brown.’

The Rams had additional security measures in place for the game, including armed personnel from the National Guard. The team has wanded fans outside entrances all season.

Earlier in the week there had been reports that the game might be moved because of the protests.

In the end, the game remained in St. Louis giving the Rams the opportunity to show a sign of solidarity to the hometown crowd.

About 30 police wearing riot gear watched the protesters from a safe distance outside the Edward Jones Dome

Outside the stadium protesters chanted ‘Hands up, don't shoot!’ ‘No Justice, No Football!’ ‘This is what Democracy looks like,’ and ‘We're here for Mike Brown’