December 19, 2024

Ferguson October Protestors Demand Justice For Michael Brown

Protesters have returned to St. Louis, Missouri, for a second wave of demonstrations seeking justice for Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager shot and killed by a police officer in Ferguson on August 9.

The movement, which has been named Ferguson October by activists, comes after an eerily similar shooting shook the Shaw neighborhood of St. Louis on October 8. An off-duty police officer shot and killed Vonderrit Myers, Jr., who was just 18 years old — the same age Brown was when he died.

Related: These Ferguson Protesters Want You To Know Why They Took To The Streets

Ferguson October activists are marching to protest a trend of deadly police brutality, which disproportionately victimizes young men of color. Both Myers and Brown were black, while the police officers who killed them are white. Neither officer has been arrested; Darren Wilson, who shot Brown, left Missouri before his name was released to the public and remains on paid administrative leave.

The Ferguson October website states: “Our country can no longer deny the epidemic of police violence facing Black and Brown communities. Mike Brown is now part of a long list of people like John Crawford, Ezell Ford, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant and countless others who have been unjustly killed by police. Their lives mattered.”

Hundreds of protestors have gathered to march through downtown St. Louis, Missouri.

90-year-old Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein, who was arrested during the last round of Ferguson protests, returned to show solidarity.

Amnesty International has joined the march on St. Louis.

A diverse crowd has gathered to hold signs and chant for justice.

Related: Know Your Rights During A Police Encounter

About the author  ⁄ Sasha Geffen

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