Michael Brown was walking with his friend Dorian Johnson when the cop pulled up next to them telling them to walk on the sidewalk. From then it all went downhill. After continuing their trail on the street, the officer reversed his car almost hitting the two young men then attempted to pull Brown into his car according to Johnson. After struggling to pull away from the officer, Brown was shot once, the guys fled. While running, the officer shot Michael Brown again, and again, and again.
Tweets and photos of the Michael Brown's lifeless body in the street began circulating on social media which grabbed the attention of many. Outraged by the killing of this young unarmed man, neighbors began protesting on the street where his body laid for hours before being removed. What began as a peaceful protest of upset residents turned into a riot of the angered Ferguson community.
Ferguson residents began breaking into local businesses they say profiles young black individuals. Demonstrators loitered from stores and set fire to the QT gas station, Michael Brown was accused of stealing from. Since Saturday, Ferguson, Missouri has been something slight of a war zone between the community and the police. Numerous of arrest have been made, tear gas has been released, swat has been called, and rubber bullets have been fired.
The Ferguson police department released an official press statement Wednesday afternoon, expressing their thoughts on the tragedy and asks the public to be patient with them. They statement failed to address what really has happened, nor has the family been able to receive the authorities side of the story to attempt to justify Michael's killing. Michael Brown Jr. was shot between 8 to 10 times, once in the head. So far the FBI has decided to open an investigation on this case. Brown's family has hired Benjamin Crump who served as the attorney for Trayvon Martin's family, to help bring justice to their son.
While stories such as this one are far too common, it never justifies that many individuals loose their life each year to police brutality or results of racial profiling. Although it is easy to pull the race card on many of these instances, the harshness and hatred feelings behind these fatalities and injuries are a result of racism! The imbalance of the social structure in this country allows people to get away with brutally attacking or killing someone without punishment. Many fear that the lack of communication from the Ferguson police and the minimal national media attention will lead to Michael Brown's death going unjustified by law and unwritten with many more men of color who have been killed by white cops.
Michael Brown Jr. was set to begin college Monday but will not be able experience the life of a college student. What will it honestly take to change the way in which lives are taken by those of more "privileged" power? #MikeBrown's death is not the only lost we have experience recently. A number of killings have been exposed since Michael Brown's death has gained national attention. The Ferguson community is being punished for peacefully protesting and demonstrating by authorities who have started a war right in the streets of St. Louis. Many have been shot by rubber bullets, strayed with tear gas, threatened, harassed and arrested for letting their voice be heard. In less than a week, authorities have broken more laws and violated citizens constitutional rights than we can even imagine.
We wish all of the protestors around the country safety! Our hearts and prayers are with not only the family of Michael Brown and the people of St. Louis, but to all of the families that mourn the lost of a loved one, killed by senseless street violence and racism. There may be no justice or no peace yet, but change is coming.
(Photo: Instagram)
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