Ferguson braces for protests on anniversary of Michael Brown shooting
Updated: 2015-08-07 14:00
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
Chocolate, 36, an activist who wants to be identified by only her nickname, waves an American flag upside down while posing for a portrait in Ferguson, Missouri July 24, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] |
'Not the first one'
Brown died after being shot multiple times by white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson after a confrontation with Wilson on a sunny Saturday afternoon as Brown and a friend walked through their neighborhood.
Images of the teen's body, which lay in the street for more than four hours, and an aftermath in which police officials defended Wilson's actions and characterized Brown as a thug and a thief, enraged many in the black community.
"He (Brown) was one, but not the first one, to be murdered by policing authorities and obviously he wasn't the last," said Montague Simmons, chairman of the Organization for Black Struggle, one of the groups planning protests. "People want to see something different. They want safety to mean something different."
The grand jury that reviewed the case found Wilson had broken no laws, but that decision provoked a second wave of rioting in Ferguson three months after Brown's death.
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said the city has made many reforms in the last year, though it still has more to do. This weekend Ferguson will not officially recognize the anniversary of Brown's death. Instead, it will sponsor a job fair Saturday and a back-to-school event Sunday at the local community center as an alternative, Knowles said.
"We hope people will choose to do something community oriented, focus on moving the community forward together as opposed to anything that might be disruptive," Knowles said.
Related Stories
Ferguson, Missouri elects two black city councillors 2015-04-08 16:39
20-year-old man charged in Ferguson police shootings 2015-03-16 09:00
Moves made to ease Ferguson tensions 2015-03-14 08:19
Man arrested for shooting two dead 2015-07-24 18:45
Shooting rampage leaves 34 people dead in Brazil 2015-07-21 10:13
Today's Top News
China asks further probe into MH370
'New Suez Canal' opened for ship traffic
China's property taxes coming soon
Seven arrested for trafficking women into sex slavery in China
ROK's ex-first lady begins
DPRK visit
Australia to continue search for MH370
Turkey says coalition to launch 'comprehensive battle' against IS
17 armed forces take part in Russia military contest
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Plan to teach pupils practical skills welcome |
Civility strikes back |
Changing color of China's blue-collar workers |
Frozen assets may not beat the biological clock |
Taste the fun of baijiu in London |
Expo Milano 2015 |