Ferguson: Five Years Later (2014-2019)

Ferguson: Five Years Later (2014-2019)

Today is a little over five years after the passing of the Brother Michael Brown in 2014. He passed away in Ferguson, Missouri, which is a suburb of the city of St. Louis. Afterwards, the rebellion existed in Ferguson, Missouri,. Not too long ago, the NAACP sent a advisory warning to Missouri because of its policies dealing with race. Missouri is a Midwestern state once controlled by the French (centuries ago), and it has experienced the U.S. Civil War, segregation, covenant policies (which harmed the housing rights of black people), and other evils. Likewise, dedicated activists have fought for freedom in Ferguson and throughout Missouri too. The occurrence in Ferguson in 2014 signified the largest rebellion in recent American history since the LA rebellion back in 1992. During the rebellion, innocent journalists and innocent protesters were arrested, civil liberties were violated, and courageous people stood up against the evils in the system. The events of Ferguson document how police brutality and economic inequality including racism are serious realities that we must deal with in order to make society liberated for all. The extremes of racism denial and class oppression denial must be rejected. The working class and all of the oppressed ought to unite to end the system of racist, xenophobic, patriarchal, and capitalist oppression.

The parents of Michael Brown (Michael Brown Sr. and Lesley McSpadden) have continuously spoken out against extrajudicial killings and any form of unjust gun violence in general. Gun violence is a health crisis and an epidemic in American society. The events in Ferguson back in 2014 represented not only a new era of American history but a new era of the overall black freedom struggle. Ferguson proves that tons of young people are not apathetic, but they are willing to stand up for legitimate social causes. That is why the grassroots activism in Ferguson were made up of young people, women, and others of diverse backgrounds. They didn't want establishment control. They desire change to be encompassing and real in their daily lives. We saw children and adults standing up against militarized police, sound weapons, and the powers of the state. We have witnessed ordinary people, journalists, and activists being hit with tear gas, being unjustly arrested, and experiencing the might of the state while never giving up. After rebellions and some political change, we still have a long way to go in seeing police brutality eradicated. After Michael Brown's passing, a lot of black men, black women, and black children have been killed by police officers, vigilantes, and white supremacists. he recent events in California, El Paso, and Dayton, Ohio made everyone aware that America still hasn't dealt comprehensively with the issue of hate and bigotry.

The events of Ferguson inspired a whole new generation of young people to be active in social and political affairs. The Black Lives Matter movement and other movements for social change grew. Unfortunately, police killings of unarmed black people continued from Eric Garner to other people. The DOJ documented the corrupt actions of the Ferguson police department too. It is also important to address class oppression since society is heavily stratified based upon class. The poor have much less resources and opportunities than the rich or the middle class. Poor shaming is common in Western culture, and that is wrong plus evil. People not only need jobs. People deserve respect and equitable treatment under the law. Society must change (change deals with protests and developing our infrastructure including progressive programs in addressing our issues and helping our communities. At the end of the day, people not only need cameras, but living wages, universal health care, the elimination of discriminatory policies, strong educational services, and investments in community growth).

The events of Ferguson back in 2014 outlined a new era of the black freedom movement, and we are continuing to stand up for our rights as well.

The Prelude

To know about the events of Ferguson after five years, you have to understand its history. Ferguson is at Missouri, and Missouri has a long history of being involved in slavery, Western expansion, and other issues. Ferguson was founded in 1855 by William B. Ferguson. He deeded 10 acres of land to the Wabash Railroad in exchange for a new depot and naming rights. Ferguson is a suburb of St. Louis. Later, Ferguson developed into a city by 1894. Until the 1960’s, Ferguson was a sundown town where African Americans weren’t allowed to remain after nightfall. It had Jim Crow segregation as Missouri was filled with it back then. In many ways, Missouri was like a Southern state and a Midwestern state at the same time. Redlining was common place including police brutality long before 2014. Redlining is about public or private policies that restricted home ownership based upon race. Today, the city of Ferguson is majority African American. African Americans experienced disproportionate traffic stops, police harassment, and other problems. Back in the day, many black Southerners fled to places like St. Louis and Ferguson to escape Klan terror, but the Klan was in Missouri too. In the West Coast and the Midwest, there were racist housing covenants that prevented black residents from owning homes. Unequal pay, discrimination, and other evils existed. The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Shelley v. Kraemer, which declared that state enforcement of racially restrictive housing covenants was unconstitutional, revolved around a St. Louis case.


As early as the 1950's, St. Louis have changed. Deindustralization and white flight grew. St. Louis back then and today is segregated. Urban renewal projects like the Pruitt-Igoe housing project damaged the lives of many black people. Historically, black neighborhoods were destroyed, and black people were relocated.

Since the late 1960's urban rebellions, American police forces have been increasingly militarized. There ware SWAT Teams now. There are armored vehicles whose purpose is to stop dissent that the establishment deems "too radical. Militarized weapons are found in many lcoal police forces. This has been sent by the Pentagon via the 1033 program, which originated by the Democratic President Bill Clinton.

Once upon a time, Ferguson was a majority white city. When black people left St. Louis for Ferguson, white people once again left Ferguson to go into further places like St. Charles County (which is majority white). By the 1970’s, more black Americans left St. Louis and came into Ferguson because of the housing covenants being banned. The population of Ferguson reversed from being majority white in 1980 to majority African American today. Ferguson still experiences income inequality, poverty, and other issues. The crisis of poverty, racism, and class oppression in general relate to the subsequent story of Michael Brown (and the events that came after his killing).

  

This image showed a then eighty-eight-year-old woman named Creola McCalister joining other demonstrators protesting the killing of teenager Michael Brown outside Greater St. Marks Family Church with Brown's family and with civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton in St. Louis on Aug. 12, 2014. The picture came from Scott Olson, and it's found at Getty Images

Michael Brown's Life

In order to understand the legacy of Ferguson, you have to comprehend the facts about the life of Michael Brown Jr. He lived from May 20, 1996 to August 9, 2014. He had a family and friends. Normandy High School in St. Louis County was the place where he graduated from. After his graduation from high school, he had only 8 days left on Earth. He was 18 years old at 2014. He was known as a musician who posted his songs on Soundcloud under the handle of “Big Mike.” He wanted to focus on a training program for heating and air conditioning repair at Vatterrott College technical school. Darren Wilson was from Fort Worth, Texas. His parents divorced in 1989. Later, he worked at Jennings, Missouri, and then he worked at Ferguson by October of 2011. August 4, 2019 was when everything would change forever. During the morning of that date, Michael Brown walked into Ferguson Market and Liquor at 1:13 am. He received a package of cigarillos from the store. By 11:47 am. Wilson received a call about a baby with breathing problems and drove to Glenark Drive, east of Canfield Drive. About three minutes later and several blocks away, Brown was recorded on camera stealing a box of Swisher cigars and forcefully shoving a Ferguson Market clerk. Brown and his friend, Dorian Johnson, left the market at about 11:54 a.m. At 11:53 am, a police dispatcher reported "stealing in progress" at the Ferguson Market and described the suspect as a black male wearing a white T-shirt running toward QuikTrip.

The suspect was reported as having stolen a box of Swisher cigars. At 11:57 am., the dispatch described the suspect as wearing a red St. Louis Cardinals hat, a white T-shirt, yellow socks, and khaki shorts, and that he was accompanied by another male. A little after noon, Wilson saw Michael Brown. Now, after this, many people differed on what happened next. Everyone agreed that, there was a struggle between Michael Brown and Wilson. Wilson shot at Brown’s hand. Later, Brown and Johnson fled and Johnson hid behind a car. Wilson pursued Brown. Later, Wilson fired his gun again while facing Brown and hit him with at least 6 shots. Brown was unarmed and died in the street. The debate is whether Michael Brown ran towards Wilson or was Brown running away. The killing of Michael Brown lasted for about 90 seconds. Michael Brown was shot at least six times

  

This picture showed U.S. civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton  with the parents of Michael Brown, Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr., at a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, U.S., September 25, 2014. REUTERS/Gary Cameron/File Photo

No ambulance was called to retrieve Michael Brown’s body immediately. His family wasn’t even immediately notified. The forensic investigator came at 2:30 pm. His body was taken to the morgue at 4:37 pm. while police cars, SWAT, and other forces were there hours before his body came into the morgue. That is wrong and disrespectful. The Ferguson Police Department came within minutes after the killing of Michael Brown. Michael Brown’s body being in the streets for hours was disrespectful. By August 11, 2014, the FBI opened a civil rights investigation into the incident. Some witnesses promoted Wilson’s account of Michael Brown running towards Wilson, and other witnesses dispute that account. The whole hand up, don’t shoot motto came from the view of those who believed that Michael Brown put his hands up just before he was shot. The working class suburb of St. Louis, which is Ferguson, have shown courageous to stand up against the status quo. We should accept the truth involving this tragedy, but we can never accept the status quo. Regardless, we have to address police brutality, poverty, income inequality, racism, and lax investments in urban plus rural communities in order to see the Dream made real for humanity.

Rebellion

The rebellions didn’t start in Ferguson as a product of Michael Brown’s killing alone. It was building for years and decades after a long time of neglect, racism, discrimination, and economic exploitation of the mostly African American Ferguson community. By the time of August 10, 2014, the community of Ferguson was in mourning. People were upset, confused, and totally filled with sadness. Protesters came out immediately outside of the Ferguson Police Department on Sunday of August 10, 2014. Michael Brown’s uncle led a chant saying “We are one!” On that night, the rebellion started. It was the first major rebellion in America of this generation since the 1992 one in Los Angeles. Almost 300 police officers came on the scene. Crowds were stopped by tear gas. 32 arrests were made and 2 officers were injured. Buildings burned. Protests continued on Monday, August 11, 2014. Peaceful protests existed. Also on Monday night, clashes among the police and citizens developed. Rubber bullets were used on the crowds. Tear gas was used. The St. Louis County police used armored vehicles and SWAT units. There were militarized police which sparked outrage and debate as many people from across the police spectrum questioned the usage of militarized police against civilians. At least 5 people were arrested during that day. President Barack Obama on August 12, 2014 said a statement about the passions over the killing. He condemned the rebellion. President Barack Obama offered his condolences to Brown's family and community.

Brown’s family and civil rights leaders called for calm. On that day, Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson worked to deal with the crisis. August 12 was when Al Sharpton went to St. Louis to speak with the family of Michael Brown and civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump. Michael Brown Sr. and Lesley McSpadden are the parents of Michael Brown. On August 13, the police want the protesters to not gather after dark when protesters have the First Amendment right to protest regardless of time. SWAT Teams came on the scene again. Many journalists and individuals documented the military like presence in Ferguson. Later, innocent journalists would be arrested, police aimed guns at innocent citizens, and other evil conduct existed. On the night of August 13, 2014, one Al JazeeraTV crew reported on the demonstrations in Ferguson. Tear gas came to them, and they ran away from them leaving their camera equipment behind. On the evening of August 13, the journalists named Ryan Reilly (of the Huffington Post) and Wesley Lowery (of the Washington Post) were detained by the police illegally in a McDonald’s restaurant in Ferguson.

By August 14, Governor Nixon allowed the Missouri State Highway Patrol to take over security plans in Ferguson. On August 14, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky said in an op-ed in Time Magazine, that the event was a tragedy and that police forces need to be demilitarized. Yes, I do realize Paul's reactionary views (of refusing to find 911 responders which is horrific and wrong on his part), and I reject his political ideology completely. U.S. Attorney Eric Holder said that he was concerned about the police using military style equipment. President Barack Obama called for calm and allowed the Justice Department plus the FBI to investigate the killing of Michael Brown. A state of emergency and a curfew existed by Saturday on August 16, 2014. The curfew was from midnight to 5 am. SWAT deployed smoke based deterrents. 7 people were arrested. August 17 was when Holder wanted a medical examination of Brown by federal authorities. At night, Ferguson police harmed peaceful protesters hours before curfew started. Many people used milk on the victims of tear gas attacks. Later on, Palestinian activists gave advice to Ferguson protesters on how to handle tear gas. Journalist Mustafa Hussein was a student journalist who was threatened at gunpoint by a police officer who didn’t want to be recorded on camera. On Monday, police officers are found to use LRAD weapons (or Long Range Acoustic Devices or sound weapons) and tear gas to suppress protesters. Amnesty International deplored this act and they sent a human rights team in Ferguson which was the first time they did so in America. The National Guard came to Ferguson.

Autopsy information came out. Protests exist nationwide from California to New York City. Ferguson residents feel heartbreak and frustration over the incident. A Pew Research Center Survey published on August 18 suggested differences in American public opinion between white people and black people on racial issues. It indicated 80% of black Americans and 37% of white Americans believed the shooting "raises important issues about race." Eric Holder came into Ferguson at August 18, 2014. Holder met with the Brown family and local officials. The National Guard left Ferguson on August 21, 2014. On August 24, St. Louis held their annual Peace Fest, which had a particular focus on Mike Brown. In attendance was Mike Brown's father, Mike Brown Sr., as well as the parents of Trayvon Martin (Trayvon an unarmed black teen who was shot and killed in Florida in 2012). August 25, 2014 was when the emotional funeral was held for Michael Brown. About 4,500 people attended it at the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Ferguson. Al Sharpton made the wrong comment about some having “ghetto pity” parties who I related to a respectability politics mantra. People standing up aren’t having pity parties. They are fighting for revolutionary change. For a time, Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Ronald Johnson was asked to take over policing of Ferguson, as a tactical shift to reduce the violence.

The Judicial System


As time goes onward, the legal system continued. Wilson by September 16 is in hiding. He testified before the grand jury. On October 24, 2014, Amnesty International published a report declaring human rights abuses in Ferguson. The report cited the use of lethal force in Brown's death, racial discrimination and excessive use of police force, imposition of restrictions on the rights to protest, intimidation of protesters, the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and long range acoustic devices, restrictions imposed on the media covering the protests, and lack of accountability for law enforcement policing protests. Governor Nixon on November 11, 2014 mobilized the National Guard in preparing to the grand jury’s verdict. Michael Brown’s father wants only peaceful demonstrations. By November 25, 2014, the grand jury decides not to indict Darren Wilson. Protests and rebellion occured. Over a thousand of National Guard troops and a police crackdown came about. Then, President Barack Obama's Justice Department announced in March 2015 that it would not bring federal civil rights charges against Wilson.

Protests transpired in 170 cities over the grand jury announcements in St. Louis, Philadelphia, Seattle, Albuquerque, New York City, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Oakland, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, etc. Numerous media reports and legal experts criticized the process for failing to return an indictment in cases concerning law enforcement officers. By December 1, 2014, President Barack Obama called for police officers to wear body cameras to record interactions with people. The cover of The New Yorker's January 26, 2015, issue depicted Martin Luther King Jr. linking arms with Eric Garner and Wenjian Liu, and joined by Trayvon Martin and Brown. On March 4, 2015, another historical event happened. This was when the reports from the U.S. Department of Justice that talked about Ferguson were released to the public. The first report said that Darren Wilson was cleared of criminal wrongdoing and said that Brown probably did attack Wilson inside his car. Many disagreed with that first report obviously. The second report is what many conservatives disagreed with. The second report accurately mentioned that the Ferguson police department (where Wilson worked at) had a culture of racism, discrimination, and it unconstitutionally targeted black people from arrests, fines, and jail. It documented tons of evidence and sources to prove that point. 2 cops were shot by March 12, 2015. Demonstrations happened in Ferguson to mark the first anniversary of Michael Brown’s passing. Peaceful protests existed in front of the St. Louis courthouse to desire the Ferguson police department to be dismantled. Wesley Bell became the first black county prosecuting attorney in the St. Louis County when he took office in January of 2019. After the 2014-2015 events in Ferguson, movements further formed and other tragic events in New York City, Baltimore, Milwaukee, and other places in the United States of America show how far we have to go in ending the system of oppression. In the final analysis, we don't want unarmed black people to be killed.

In 2014, Eric Garner was choked to death before the events in Ferguson. This happened in New York City that caused more protests to fight police brutality. Many crowds outlined the words of Hand Up Don't Shoot and I can't Breathe to make their voices heard. Police killings still are over 1,000 per years. Data from the Mapping Police Violence group said that police officers were charged in less than 2 percent of all 6,836 killings recorded between 2013 and 2018. In only 0.4 percent of cases (or 28 cases) during this period was an officer charged, convicted, and sentenced.  In December of 2014, 12 year old Tamir Rice was shot within 2 seconds of the police arriving at a park in Cleveland, Ohio. No officer was charged, when this incident was completely unjustified. In Baltimore, Freddie Gray died in April 2015. Gray was in the back of Baltimore police van when he died. This sparked a social rebellion in Baltimore that was suppressed by 2,000 National Guard soldiers. Six officers were charged for his death, but none of them were convicted. Philando Castile was killed in July of 201. He was in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. His murder was caught on tape. Other black men, black women, black children, and people of every color have been killed via police violence. While this is going on, Donald Trump said that police shouldn't be too nice when arresting people, which called for violence against suspects.

We don't want police brutality. We desire our communities to develop and flourish.

The Growth of the Black Freedom Movement

The events of Ferguson inspired a new generation of black activists among many backgrounds. The grassroots is always the epicenter of those who enact monumental change. That truism is exemplified heavily by the atmosphere of Ferguson, Missouri. For example, the Organization for Black Struggle has done great work in fighting for the human rights of black people in St. Louis and Ferguson. Jamala Rogers has been a decades long activist, writer, and a heroic person involving the Ferguson struggle for freedom and justice. MORE or the Missouri Organizing for Reform and Empowerment, CAPCR or the Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression, and other groups have enumerable human beings with talent in organizing plus executing programs of uplifting people.  There is no question that both religious organizations and secular groups have done great work to help the suffering, to instill truth in the lives of the people, and to breathe inspiration among the communities of Missouri. Missouri has a long history of slavery, racism , economic oppression, and other forms of pain. Likewise, many people in Missouri during the past and present desire freedom, love equality, and want true justice to reign in the world completely and without compromise. Kayla Reed is of the St. Louis Action Council & Electoral Justice Project / Movement for Black Lives, Ashley Yates, Johnetta Elzie, Opal Tometi, Tef Poe, Alicia Garza, Jamilah Lemieux, Patrisse Cullors-Brignac, and other young people have put in the work in making sure that the voices of Ferguson are heard.

 The movement for black freedom is diverse too. It is about making sure that black women are protected of their autonomy and of their total, fundamental humanity. It is about making sure that black girls and black boys have their whole potential realized without discrimination and scapegoating. It is about allowing black men to express themselves openly without ridicule and without toxic masculinity. It is about seeing black people of every background to realize their total human potentials. Many black freedom fighters are allied with Pan African movements, Palestinian rights organizations, civil liberty groups, environmental justice organizations, and other people dedicated to progressive change. Like always , we are against the mass incarceration state system, we are against any injustice, and we believe in truth. From the death of Darren Seals to other tragedies, we have a long way to go. Ferguson teaches everyone that oppression has no justification, and a rebellion for freedom must always be acknowledged (and analyzed). We express empathy and compassion for the oppressed, and we want solutions plus accountability towards those who are complicit in evil. Us black folks just want our humanity expressed without restraint. We desire our independence.

What is Past is Prologue

The future is being born in the present. The recent tragedies of California, El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio show us the truth that white racism isn't gone. Trump is what he is. He makes no bones about his xenophobia, sexism, racism, and intolerance. That is why it is our responsibility to have character that is the opposite of Trump's agenda. When Trump promotes a Muslim ban, we believe in religious freedom. When Trump goes out and laughs about one person (in a Trump rally) wanting to shoot immigrants, we believe in care for immigrants. When Trump goes around to disparage black people who disagree with his reactionary views, we believe in supporting black people of every walk of life. Black people are fighting inspite of many of us being called on by the police for no reason (from walking, listening to music, and to BBQing food). I have hope for the future, because what seemed to be impossible can be possible. Many years ago, slavery and Jim Crow existed. As a result of courageous activism, legalized slavery and Jim Crow ended. We have a far way to go. We aren't naive, but our cause is just. Lesley McSpadden has recently ran for city council. She also graduated with her daughter Deja from high school. She recently wrote a memoir about her life entitled, "Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil: The Life, Legacy, and Love of My Son Michael Brown" back in 2016. Recently, Michael Brown Sr. (or Michael Brown's father) has called for a new investigation in the passing of his son.

After these years, many Americans realize the issue of policing and racial profiling. Many individuals know about systematic racism, the mass incarceration, and they sincerely are fighting for solutions to these issues. Other Americans have their heads in the sand, or they just minimize or ignore the legitimate outrage by black people about injustices. Ferguson is a microcosm of America. It was birthed as a suburb of St. Louis. Later, Ferguson has been a victim of housing exploitation, economic exploitation, racism, discrimination, and poverty.  That is why not only must laws be changed. It is not enough to have minority officers, racial sensitive training, body cameras, federal consent decrees, and community oversight (though these things are part of the solution). We are fundamentally dealing with an issue of capitalist oligarchs using capital and racial divisiveness as a means for them to control the masses of the people whether they are black or non-black. The system of oppression and exploitation is at the heart of the matter. Some want black capitalism where corporate foundations fund groups in millions of dollars to "keep the peace" and "get a piece of the action." I reject that goal, since liberation is beyond free-market capitalism. The capitalist system's purpose is amoral or seeking profit alone primarily (beyond an unconditional allegiance to social responsibility). That is why that system hasn't done enough to address poverty, social inequality, wars, and other issues. Liberation is collective power embraced by the people. That is why those who promote capitalist get quick rich schemes (made up of many upper middle class people who feel superior to others via elitism. Many black people, even in Youtube have the elitist mentality that if you're not upper middle class or middle class, then you have no intrinsic value to black people which is a lie. Many richer African American readily look down on the poor and working class African Americans) are heavily silent on prison industrial complex, on police brutality, on the homeless, on the poor (unless some of them want to poor sham people or disrespect poor human beings), and on redlining or economic exploitation. If a person refuses to address the needs of the working class, the poor, and the homeless, then that person is not a revolutionary. In other words, we ought to fight for racial justice and economic justice at the same time, since police terrorism disproportionately harms the lives of black Americans in the United States of America. That is a fact. In order to have economic independence, we have to enact political struggle against the forces responsible for our oppression. Political struggle and progressive actions lead into black liberation for real.

We have to create investments in establishing a much better society than the past. We want any person to walk in the street and not be judged unfairly by virtue of his or her color. We certainly believe in accountability in the world. We want justice as our black lives always matter.

Ferguson today in 2019 has a new community center. Many of the kids in Ferguson back in 2014 are now ready to go into college. Ferguson police officers are required to wear body cameras now. The Ferguson police is more diverse with 21 African Americans and 18 white Americans.  Mayor James Knowles III is still the mayor Ferguson after all of these years. The city has to deal with the 2016 consent decree. The decree dealt with an agreement between the Ferguson city and the Department of Justice. The purpose of this plan was to overhaul the police and court system of Ferguson. What is prologue is just the beginning. 2020 is almost here, and we will experience new adventures in the future. Also, we hold fast to the same principles of integrity, justice, human solidarity, and liberation. We believe in compassion given to those who have mental health issues and those who have disabilities. The current system not only doesn't work, but it wasn't created to work for the masses of the people but for the ruling class (or the one percent). It is no secret that police terrorism in our communities have no justification and that is linked to the capitalist exploiters who desire the status quo at the expense of the dignity of black human lives (and the rest of humanity). We don't want multinational corporations to dominate the world society. We want power possessed only by  the people (i.e. power to the people is an excellent ideal to live by), and an egalitarian existence. It is important to note the unsung heroes of Ferguson and other places in the world who are actively fighting against injustices. So, in closing,

Black Lives Matter.


By Timothy