A DAY OF TEARS AND ANGER
Hundreds gather in Ferguson, Mo., one year after black 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed by a white police officer. Protests over Brown’s death have sparked a nationwide examination of fatal shootings of unarmed black men by police.
FERGUS ON, MO. Hundreds gathered Sunday at the spot where Michael Brown was killed by a white police officer to mark the first anniversary of the shooting that rocked the nation and shined a spotlight on race relations.
Brown’s father, Michael Brown Sr., shared a few words during a silent march to thank those who stood by him since his 18-year-old son was killed.
“You made this happen for us,” Brown said, explaining that his son’s name and case gained notoriety because thousands supported the family by protesting. “I miss you boy,” the father said.
Erica Snipes is the daughter of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man who died in New York after an officer put him in a chokehold, She told the crowd that officials must be held accountable. “This year has just been so hard — no accountability, no justice — police are still killing us,” Snipes said.
Rows of teddy bears, flowers and balloons sat in the middle of the road as a growing memorial to the younger Brown. A more permanent memorial — an image of a dove carved into a cement sidewalk — was nearby. At 12:02 p.m., a 41⁄ 2- minute moment of silence marked the time Wilson shot Brown and the time his lifeless body lay in the street.
Brown’s father then led a march to nearby Greater St. Mark Family Church. Along the way, at the corner of Chambers Road and West Florissant Avenue, Brown and hundreds of marchers stopped for another 4 1⁄2 minutes to remember Brown’s son.
“This is sponsored by Darren Wilson,” said Anthony Shahid, a community activist, referring to the Ferguson police officer who had shot the teen.
The elder Brown and some supporters wore “Chosen 4 Change” shirts, a reference to the non-profit foundation he helped start. Signs in the crowd included “Racism is destroying Amerikk- ka” and “Stop killing black children” and “Respect and protect the black woman.”
Across Ferguson, police increased their presence and handed out water to marchers. Police vehicles were parked outside businesses looted during the unrest that followed Brown’s death.
Brown was unarmed when Wilson pulled up in a cruiser and told Brown and a friend not to walk in the street. An argument ensued, spilling into a physical confrontation. Wilson said Brown attempted to take Wilson’s gun. Moments later Brown was fatally shot. Months of sometimes violent protests followed.
A grand jury and the Justice Department cleared Wilson of wrongdoing. But the Justice Department also issued a scathing, 102-page report, made public in March, that details how racial biases permeated the city’s police and justice system. The revelations prompted the resignations of the police chief and a judge.
Shirley McClendon, 72, said she came to Sunday’s march to support the teen’s family and to call attention to racial profiling and police brutality.
“What they did to this kid was unfair,” she said of Brown’s death. “The police are getting out of hand. They are just running rampant. It’s like they are the criminals.”
“The police are getting out of hand. They are just running rampant. It’s like they are the criminals.”
Shirley McClendon, 72