To skip to updates from Wednesday, August 13, click here.
To skip to updates about the investigation into the killing of Michael Brown, click here.
To skip to certain sections, click the links below:
1) What we know about Michael Brown
2) What we know about the shooting
3) What's in dispute about the shooting
4) What we know about the first weekend's protests
5) What's in dispute about the first weekend's protests
6) What we know about the unrest on Sunday, August 10
7) Continued protests — and police dispersals — on Monday, August 11
8) Continued tensions on Tuesday, August 12
9) Arrests and police aggression on Wednesday, August 13
10) "Reframing" the chain of command on Thursday, August 14
11) Some of the context for community anger in Ferguson
12) What we know about the investigation into Brown's shooting
13) Efforts to rebuild race and community relations in Ferguson
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On August 9, Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was killed by a police officer in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri. Eyewitnesses to the shooting report that Brown was killed while attempting to surrender, but police say that Brown assaulted the officer before the shooting.
The incident provoked immediate anger and frustration in the community and around the country. The killing of Eric Garner, also an unarmed black man, by New York City police last month revived a public conversation about the history of police violence against black men, and the killing of Brown has inflamed it.
"Hands up! Don't shoot!" Words of #MikeBrown #vigil attendees pic.twitter.com/NSTEKcCDaV
— Markia Holt (@MarkiaHolt) August 11, 2014
Protests began in the neighborhood immediately after Brown was shot, and continued throughout the weekend. On Sunday night, Ferguson erupted into civil unrest, with reports of looting, arson, and gunshots.
Here's what's known, what's being disputed, and what happens next.
What we know about Michael Brown
— Brown was an 18-year-old student.
— He graduated from Normandy High School in St. Louis in the spring of 2014. He was scheduled to start classes at Vatterott College, a Missouri trade college, on Monday, August 11.
— On the day of his death, Brown was visiting his grandmother, Desuirea Harris, who lives in Ferguson, a working-class suburb of St. Louis.
What we know about the shooting
#MikeBrown's mother: "Police not telling us nothing, cause they have nothing to say." #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/P7QwG3sTru
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) August 10, 2014
— Brown was shot multiple times and killed by a Ferguson police officer in the early afternoon of Saturday, August 9, outside an apartment complex.
— Brown was unarmed. All shell casings found at the scene were from the police officer's gun.
— At least one shot was fired from the police car. Brown was killed while he was standing about 35 feet away from the car.
— The name of the police officer has not been released. St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar told reporters on Sunday morning that the officer had been in the Ferguson police department for six years, and that Belmar was not aware of any problems the officer had during that time.
What's in dispute about the shooting
What happened before Brown was shot
The sign reads the "Police have executed my unarmed son" St Louis MO today.pic.twitter.com/Our1WLZz6Y
— Roz Parchment (@RozParchment) August 10, 2014
— Multiple eyewitness accounts say that Brown was killed while attempting to surrender.
— Brown's friend Dorian Johnson, who was with Brown at the time, says that the two of them were walking in the middle of the street when a police car approached, and the officer told them to get on the sidewalk.
— Eyewitness Piaget Crenshaw says that Johnson, Brown and the officer got into a verbal confrontation, and the officer attempted to put Brown in the police car. When Brown began to flee, with his hands in the air, she says, the officer got out of the car and started shooting at Brown. (Crenshaw has photos of the shooting, which have been turned over to the police.)
— Another eyewitness told the press that the officer was in his car when he started shooting at the boys. (At least one shot was fired from the police car.)
— Johnson says that he and Brown started running when they heard the first shot. He told local news station KMOV that the officer "shot again, and once my friend felt that shot, he turned around and put his hands in the air. He started to get down and the officer still approached with his weapon drawn and fired several more shots."
— Meanwhile, St. Louis County police, who have been called in to investigate Brown's death, say that Brown assaulted the officer before he was killed. St. Louis County police chief Jon Belmar told reporters on Sunday that Brown shoved the officer back into the police car, "physically assaulted" him, and attempted to grab the officer's gun. According to Belmar, the officer only began firing at Brown after the assault.
— According to Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson during a briefing on Wednesday, the officer who shot Johnson was injured during the encounter. One side of the officer's face was swollen, Jackson said.
How many times Brown was shot
— On Sunday, Belmar told reporters that Brown was shot "more than just a couple [times], but I don't think it was many more than that."
— Johnson's eyewitness account indicates that four shots were fired. Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, says she was told that Brown was shot eight times.
What we know about the first weekend's protests
People In Neighborhood Marching to the #Ferguson Police Department Following Shooting Of Unarmed #MikeBrown 8/2014 pic.twitter.com/LQizk6Dyp9
— Lnon (@Lnonblonde) August 11, 2014
Saturday, August 9
— A crowd gathered at the scene soon after Brown was shot, and their protest extended through much of Saturday afternoon. A subsequent protest at the Ferguson Police Department headquarters happened Saturday evening. The number of demonstrators varied: a CNN report says that there were up to 1,000 protesters at the peak of the demonstrations, while other reports say there were about 200.
— Brown's body was left at the scene for several hours after the shooting. Police said that they needed the time to conduct "due diligence," saying that the crowd made it difficult for them to process evidence properly. Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson later told reporters that he was "uncomfortable" with the amount of time the body had been in the street.
— Protesters held their hands in the air and chanted "Don't shoot me," "We are Michael Brown," "No justice, no peace," and "Killer cops have got to go." Brown's stepfather, Louis Head, held a sign that read "Ferguson police just executed my unarmed son!!!"
— During Saturday's demonstration, around 2 p.m., a series of shots were fired in the area near the crime scene.
— More than 100 officers from 15 different police departments were called to the scene during Saturday's protests.
Sunday, August 10
— On Sunday, August 10, nonviolent protests continued, but with a heavy police presence:
Getting the protestors to sit down. Put hands up in protest. #ferguson https://t.co/L5vABsluab
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 11, 2014
— One CNN video report, flagged by Colorlines, shows a police officer saying to protesters, "Bring it, you fucking animals! Bring it!" (at the 00:15 mark):
What's in dispute about the first weekend's protests
"Hands up!" in #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/gKKb0V0xv4
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 10, 2014
— Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson told reporters that Saturday's protest at the crime scene "probably bordered on riot conditions." Police say that the shots that were heard in the area during the protest were "warning shots" fired by protesters, and that protesters were heard shouting, "Kill the police." According to the police, the purpose of the 60 reinforcements from other police departments was to protect public safety in a dangerous atmosphere.
— However, other accounts from Saturday's protest don't indicate that anyone shouted "kill the police," and several eyewitnesses say that the police misheard or misinterpreted what protesters were shouting: "Killer cops have got to go" and "No justice, no peace."
— There's no confirmation as to the context of the gunshots fired during Saturday's protest.
— Reports also differed about the tone of Sunday's protests prior to the rioting. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said that protesters were "taunting" the police officers, but did not quote any protesters engaging in taunts.
What we know about the unrest on Sunday, August 10
— As protests continued on Sunday night, others in Ferguson began to engage in looting and violence. St. Louis alderman Antonio French has said on Twitter that looting began at a local QuikTrip convenience store. This was captured on video by the St. Louis Evening-Whirl:
The QuikTrip was later set on fire:
The QuickTrip is now burning. #Ferguson (photo: @PDPJ) pic.twitter.com/tJBeXQ6hzF
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) August 11, 2014
— Looting spread to the nearby neighborhood of Dellwood and continued late into the night on Sunday:
Officers tell me situation is not getting better. Burglaries to the north rioting to the south. @ksdknews
— Elizabeth Matthews (@ElizabethKSDK) August 11, 2014
— Rumors surfaced of multiple shootings and that one man was severely beaten. But the Washington Post says no injuries were reported.
— A staff photographer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that when the looting began, there were no police at or around the QuikTrip. As looting continued, police helicopters moved into the area. A SWAT team moved in and used tear gas to disperse the looters.
Right now in #Ferguson https://t.co/rfU15iqfPA
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 11, 2014
SWAT just headed towards Wal-Mart. Police with assault rifles have shut down W. Florissant near Chambers.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 11, 2014
Police armored vehicle driving down W. Florisant. "St. Louis police. Please return to your homes," they say. pic.twitter.com/oeMRCkN5Cv
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 11, 2014
— As of Thursday morning, the total amount of damage caused Sunday night hadn't been calculated. The Ferguson Police Department told Los Angeles station KTLA that at least 20 police cars were damaged. Police did not tell the Washington Post how many people were arrested, but reports indicate "dozens" of arrests:
Via @FOX2now, K Mart, Ross store looted. Cars pull up to front, occupants filled them w/loot. Shots fired. StL County cops arrest dozens.
— Charles Jaco (@charlesjaco1) August 11, 2014
— Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson told reporters on Wednesday that 32 people were arrested during the looting on Sunday.
— Monday, August 11, was supposed to be the first day of school for Jennings School District, one of the four school districts that cover Ferguson. Administrators canceled school out of fear for student safety.
— On Monday, August 11, a group of Ferguson residents got together to clean up the QuikTrip:
This, too, happened today. (via @jessluther) #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/eMX2uy35Em
— Matt Frederick (@mattfredstl) August 11, 2014
Continued protests — and police dispersals — on Monday, August 11
— After Sunday night's unrest, a protest and rally scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday morning was canceled, and the mayor of Ferguson said that anyone who attempted to show up to the rally would be arrested.
— Regardless, people still turned up at police headquarters to protest. Police officers were there with riot gear:
Police and protestors in #ferguson right now https://t.co/Uqco9bLNeK
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 11, 2014
— After about two hours, the police succeeded in getting the crowd to disperse and started making arrests:
Protestor being arrested in #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/Xi2wWty4pE
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 11, 2014
— On Monday night, protests continued. Groups gathered in the street, raising their hands in surrender and chanting, "Don't shoot." It's become the unofficial motto of the Ferguson protests.
Right now in #Ferguson https://t.co/OJc1nUIHOm
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 12, 2014
— Police also attempted to disperse these protests, moving down W. Florissant, the main street in the neighborhood. This time, they used tear gas and explosives to clear crowds and fired rubber bullets. One report indicates that police cocked their rifles at protesters. Police told protesters to "go home," but several residents protested that they were trapped in cul-de-sacs while the main road was closed off. Police also threatened press with arrest if they didn't leave the scene.
Police shooting tear gas directly at journalists now. Flashing lights so cameras can't record. #Ferguson #MikeBrown
— Ray Downs (@RayDowns) August 12, 2014
Police tell people with cars on other side to walk forward single-file. Now they can "go home." #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/WioEg93AG5
— Ray Downs (@RayDowns) August 12, 2014
Hearing the sound of police cock their rifles. Right now at W. Florissant and Chambers #ferguson pic.twitter.com/EozAPFOUzr
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 12, 2014
Being ordered to leave scene threatened with arrest #Ferguson
— David Carson (@PDPJ) August 12, 2014
— One family was standing in their backyard, which borders W. Florissant, while holding their hands up in protest. Police fired a tear gas canister at them, into the backyard:
— One resident was challenged by police when he put his hands up after stepping out of his car:
Man drives up to police line and gets out of car with hands up. "Why are your hands up," cops antagonized "Cause I don't want you to shoot"
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 12, 2014
— The evening ended with a standoff between police and about two dozen residents who were trying to get home. Wesley Lowrey, a Washington Post reporter, was at the scene:
The final standoff came just before 11 p.m. Officers backed up their formation almost all the way to the housing complex where Brown was shot.
As they regrouped, the two dozen residents who remained outside approached with hands in the air.
"Can we go home? Do we need our hands up? Are you going to shoot us?"
The police, weapons at the ready, responded by telling them to stop asking questions and "just go home."
Moments later, the cops pressed forward and cleared the street for good. As they passed, some remaining protesters threw rocks, and residents shouted from their windows: "This is our home. Leave us alone."
— In all, police made several arrests on Monday. Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson told reporters on Wednesday that around eight people had been arrested for unlawful assembly over the course of the last several days of protests.
— Police said no injuries were reported, and on Wednesday, Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson said that "nobody got hurt" in the police response to protests. However, pictures circulated on social media of protesters with bruises and injuries from rubber and wooden bullets, and of one resident being loaded into an ambulance.
Police saying no injuries, which is nonsense. Watched one guy - hit with rubber bullets - be carried up W. Florissant by two friends
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 12, 2014
Continued tensions on Tuesday, August 12
— On Tuesday, August 12, the FAA issued a no-fly zone over Ferguson through Monday, August 18. The purpose of the no-fly zone, the agency said, is "to provide a safe haven for law enforcement activities" — i.e. to clear the airspace for police helicopters. On Wednesday, Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson told reporters that he did not know anything about the no-fly zone and had not requested it.
— On Tuesday evening, there was a brief standoff between protesters and police at the QuikTrip that had been looted on Sunday. Protesters became upset when police arrived in armored vehicles.
Things got tense at the QT when police in riot gear and armored vehicles arrived again. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/cIXna4yC82
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 13, 2014
The peaceful, lawful demonstrators became angry at the heavy-handed police presence. Some young men wanted to get in their faces. 2/3
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 13, 2014
Thanks to a good conversation with a calm St. Louis County Lt. in change of the scene, we were able to keep things peaceful. 3/3
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 13, 2014
— Protesters amassed in downtown Ferguson again on Tuesday night. Police were again there in force, blocking streets to downtown, and reporters were again told they would be arrested if they didn't leave. On Wednesday, Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson said that he didn't know reporters had been threatened, and said, "No, I want free access."
@FoxNews @FOX2now @Fox411 BREAKING: Wall of cops in riot gear blocking access to downtown #Ferguson #MikeBrown pic.twitter.com/F7QFZEeviM
— The Ruthless Wonder (@MaxusX) August 13, 2014
— Most protesters, however, made their way down the other end of W. Florissant to a church for an evening service at which Al Sharpton was scheduled to speak. A group of young residents continued to protest nonviolently outside the church — even removing someone who they were worried would agitate the crowd.
"Hands up! Don't shoot!" #ferguson https://t.co/svCE1S0Zek
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 13, 2014
Young demonstrators regulating themselves. Removed someone who they say has been know to agitate crowds. https://t.co/xqnrDyYFWe
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 13, 2014
— Tuesday night's protests were quiet and nonviolent for most of the evening.
Quiet where I am. Lots of talking. Lots of standing. No smash-smash. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/dXiIc5EQqq
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) August 13, 2014
A beautiful, peaceful, multi-generational protest going on right now. No police. Self-regulated. Beautiful. #proud pic.twitter.com/Al8wps8D1f
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 13, 2014
— Around 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, a crowd began to advance toward the bridge where police were holding a line to block traffic.
Here we go. Big noisy crowd marching toward the bridge now. pic.twitter.com/vUAkpo0iki
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) August 13, 2014
Cops warn the crowd. The photog's gas mask comes out. Someone is chanting "Gaza Strip." #Ferguson http://t.co/IWJkOg8oy4
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) August 13, 2014
#Ferguson crowd now having a group prayer, "Heavenly Father were at a breaking point " Cops just watching on guard
— David Carson (@PDPJ) August 13, 2014
Police told protesters to get out of street, they instead got on knees and said, "Hands up! Don't shoot!" #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/XFpEsXBwM3
— Ray Downs (@RayDowns) August 13, 2014
And then, like a storm melting away: The crowd peacefully dissipates. pic.twitter.com/3Qt93x86b3
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) August 13, 2014
Crowd waking down W. Florissant in opposite direction of the wall of police in riot gear, chanting "F-ck the police!" pic.twitter.com/mQz75SrZ4I
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 13, 2014
— Around 1 a.m. Central Time, St. Louis County police shot a man near Ferguson. Police say the man was pointing a gun at an officer. It is not clear whether the shooting was related to the protests. The man is in critical condition as of Wednesday morning.
Arrests and police aggression on Wednesday, August 13
— On Wednesday, August 13, the Ferguson Police Department released its first official statement since the shooting. The statement read, in part:
We only ask that any groups wishing to assemble in prayer or in protest do so only during daylight hours in an organized and respectful manner. We further ask all those wishing to demonstrate or assemble disperse well before the evening hours to ensure the safety of the participants and the safety of the community.
This statement didn't set an official curfew, which would have justified arresting residents who were out after a certain hour. Instead, the police appeared to be hoping to set an unofficial, voluntary curfew.
Asked about the statement on Wednesday, Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson said that there was no curfew, and that protesters who remained out after dark would not be arrested "as long as they're peaceful and not blocking the roads."
— Late Wednesday afternoon, protesters blocked both lanes of West Florissant again. Police began making arrests quickly. A large SWAT team arrived to clear the protesters, as well as a tactical vehicle. Cops continued to push protesters back for several blocks. Those who did not move were detained.
I counted 70+ SWAT officers. Guns trained on crowds. Insanity. pic.twitter.com/stev2G6v4b
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 13, 2014
#Ferguson cops keep complimenting crowd, says we're working together on this, crowd not buying it chant "hell no we won't go"
— David Carson (@PDPJ) August 13, 2014
Police have moved tank and repositioned to face protesters on sidewalk across the street. #ferguson pic.twitter.com/JRGhIErZAb
— Conetta (@BmoreConetta) August 13, 2014
State senator Maria Chapelle Nadal taken into police custody
— Conetta (@BmoreConetta) August 13, 2014
Kids dancing/chanting "justice for #mikebrown" just feet from police #ferguson pic.twitter.com/48sYpswDxT
— Conetta (@BmoreConetta) August 13, 2014
Holding the line as the sun slowly sets. pic.twitter.com/jDRNXzOoYi
— Trymaine Lee (@trymainelee) August 14, 2014
The web editor of @StLouisAmerican just had an assault rifle pointed at her chest by @stlcountypd. RT @chriskingstl
— John Ehrlich (@newsneighbor) August 14, 2014
— The situation was then calm until around 8:30 p.m. Central Time, when cops began attempting to push protesters back another 25 feet. When bottles (and, police claim, a Molotov cocktail) were thrown at the police, they started firing tear gas at the crowd. After telling them that this was no longer a peaceful protest and ordering them to leave the area, police used sound cannons to disperse the crowd and fired tear gas canisters into the area — including into neighborhood backyards.
Police just got back on loudspeaker, asking protesters to back up 25 feet. Crowd getting anxious #ferguson
— Conetta (@BmoreConetta) August 14, 2014
A man who lives behind the QT said that police told him that everyone should be off the streets at 9:00. 25 mins from now. #Ferguson
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 14, 2014
Protesters are asking reporters to stay here throughout tonight. Teargas was used last night after main demo dispersed and reporters left
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 14, 2014
Bottles thrown police furious
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 14, 2014
People running! Tear gas!
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 14, 2014
Tear gas response may have been prompted by a Molotov cocktail hitting officer in the head, says @FOX2now. They have video. #Ferguson
— Gloria Lloyd (@glorialloyd) August 14, 2014
In a matter of seconds police set off tear gas declares this is no longer a peaceful protest pic.twitter.com/sCuy3PXHCg
— Conetta (@BmoreConetta) August 14, 2014
Police: "you must leave the entire area. Your peaceful assembly is no longer peaceful". Protesters: "fuck you"
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 14, 2014
People are very angry https://t.co/6VifSxF3Ll
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 14, 2014
Residents/crowd frustrated because they say this is their home #ferguson
— Conetta (@BmoreConetta) August 14, 2014
Police: "this is your final warning. You must leave the area."
— Trymaine Lee (@trymainelee) August 14, 2014
Protesters linking arms, anticipating an advance of police line westward along W Florissant pic.twitter.com/ckonEyUZmK
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 14, 2014
Happening now in #Ferguson https://t.co/IndDAG5JIl
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 14, 2014
Huge bangs, gas everywhere pic.twitter.com/TOQ5e5VPGr
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 14, 2014
Just hears loud boom and a woman is screaming not sure what's going on #ferguson
— Conetta (@BmoreConetta) August 14, 2014
Gas cans and crackers being lobbed into people's front gardens pic.twitter.com/tvEkVZoGtE
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 14, 2014
Happening now: "@MarvinBing: The Police have declared war on #Ferguson citizens: https://t.co/M8dsRCP6Hc #MikeBrown" #DontShoot #
— The Dream Defenders (@Dreamdefenders) August 14, 2014
I saw the guy who threw a Molotov cocktail. Police response was strong and fast. Sad situation for peaceful protesters.
— Ray Downs (@RayDowns) August 14, 2014
Police shooting has down Highmont Dr, small residential street where a few young guys are milling around pic.twitter.com/IqneqcABmm
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) August 14, 2014
Myia, in her nurse's uniform, and Ivory. Hit with rubber bullets and tear gas for trying to pick up Ivory's kids. pic.twitter.com/7C4yQSb6jD
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) August 14, 2014
#Ferguson protesters attempting to light Molotov cocktail pic.twitter.com/ZaWD3oog64
— David Carson (@PDPJ) August 14, 2014
— One news crew had tear gas fired at them while they were setting up for a shoot:
— Earlier in the evening, two reporters, Ryan J. Reilly of the Huffington Post and Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post, were arrested in a McDonald's after a SWAT team ordered residents to clear it out. Watch the arrest play out in this video:
— Other arrestees were treated even more harshly:
Was waiting to be taken away, large black man SCREAMING for help in back of police truck
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
They refused his several calls for paramedics
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
"I'm dying. I'm dying. Please call help he screamed." They mocked him
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 14, 2014
— In the first reported instance of violence by residents against someone other than a police officer, a man walking his dog was beaten up by a group of teens:
1/2)White guy with dog came around a group of teens. Dog was sniffing around area. A few teens accused white guy of being a cop.
— Ray Downs (@RayDowns) August 14, 2014
2/2) White guy got jumped. Other residents pleaded to stop. Several police cruisers came right away, chased kids. #Ferguson
— Ray Downs (@RayDowns) August 14, 2014
— Late in the evening, protesters lined up outside the Ferguson Police Station.
The protest near #Ferguson PD on N Florissant is picking up steam. "Who killed Mike Brown? You killed Mike Brown!" pic.twitter.com/bY1xujIBzP
— Joel D. Anderson (@blackink12) August 14, 2014
Scene outside #Ferguson Police Station. https://t.co/Da4c1hXS52
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 14, 2014
New chant as demonstrations continue. "What if this was your child?" pic.twitter.com/24OtQYLQBQ
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 14, 2014
"Reframing" the chain of command on Thursday, August 14
— On Thursday, August 14, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon told voters he would be "reframing" the chain of command among police in Ferguson. The office of Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri confirmed that the St. Louis County Police Department, which had been in charge during Wednesday night's protests, would be removed from Ferguson.
— On midday Thursday, protesters in Ferguson went into Fire Department headquarters:
The protestors have now marched into the #Ferguson fire station. Quite an unexpected development. pic.twitter.com/aIE5NW7UY8
— Joel D. Anderson (@blackink12) August 14, 2014
Some of the context for community anger
— There's a history of police violence against young black men, and the shooting takes place at a time when this perennial topic was already being widely discussed. New Yorker Eric Garner, an unarmed black man, was killed in July after police put him in a chokehold by police. The incident, which was caught on video, caused an outcry against the New York Police Department — especially after Garner's death was officially ruled a homicide. Mayor Bill de Blasio eventually agreed to a review of the department's training procedures.
— The frustration and anger in Ferguson likely goes beyond the killing of Brown. Ferguson is like many cities in America: police disproportionately stop and arrest black residents. While 67 percent of Ferguson is black, 86 percent of all traffic stops and 92 percent of all arrests are of black residents, according to state report on racial profiling obtained by Buzzfeed. But black residents of Ferguson who are stopped by police are less likely to be carrying contraband than white residents are.
— The city's government is predominately white as well: there is one black person on the Ferguson city council and one Latino on the school board. Just three out of the city's 53 commissioned police officers are black.
People that aren't from here don't understand...this ain't JUST about Mike Brown. It's a LITANY of things. The powder keg just exploded.
— Sandor Clegane (@Trap_Jesus) August 11, 2014
— There's also a lot of anger around how the media portrays young men who are killed. Over the weekend, the hashtag #IfTheyGunnedMeDown, which was trending on Twitter on Sunday night, captured the divide between how young black men see themselves and how the media sees them:
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown would I be labeled an honor grad or a blunt smokah pic.twitter.com/BCaRqMCMn8
— (@TopFlightRod) August 11, 2014
This is a rhetorical question. And that makes me sad. #iftheygunnedmedown which picture would they use? pic.twitter.com/86UCAa4QHE
— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) August 10, 2014
— Advocates around the country who have been outraged by the shooting are organizing National Moments of Silence on August 14 in several cities to protest police brutality.
What we know about the investigation into Brown's shooting
Monday morning scene where #MikeBrown was shot on Saturday in #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/jXIBxbxkpP
— David Carson (@PDPJ) August 11, 2014
— The St. Louis County Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation to see if the officer who shot Brown was justified. St. Louis Police Chief Belmar seemed sympathetic to the Ferguson police; Belmar <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/police-ferguson-teen-