Ferguson Protests Continue: ‘No Indictment Means No School, No Work, No Shopping’
The Ferguson protests are still going, and the protesters promise it isn’t stopping anytime soon. They’ve been doing what they call “shutting it down” — protesting in massive, peaceful crowds that lead malls and stores to close their doors to shoppers, jamming up roads with protests, and generally making sure the public knows they aren’t letting this go.
Over Black Friday weekend, the protests shut down several malls in the St. Louis area (Ferguson is a suburb of St. Louis.)
#FergusonAction at Galleria #Ferguson #HandsUpDontShop pic.twitter.com/JhJPytJ4r8
— Chuck_MODI (@POPSspotSports) November 28, 2014
#Ferguson now chesterfield mall #FergusonAction pic.twitter.com/Gdz2B5vJgJ
— Chuck_MODI (@POPSspotSports) November 29, 2014
#Ferguson protesters Die-In after Shutdown Frontnack Plaza Mall #FergusonAction @lostvoices14 pic.twitter.com/tpVXCq9YON
— Chuck_MODI (@POPSspotSports) November 29, 2014
#Ferguson protesters @ S.County Mall shutdown #FergusonAction @lostvoices14 pic.twitter.com/p3B6MIzbz2
— Chuck_MODI (@POPSspotSports) November 29, 2014
They also took their protests to Walmart and Target.
A few shoppers watch. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/MjlzI43pnQ
— deray mckesson (@deray) December 1, 2014
Die In. Target. South County. #ferguson https://t.co/fAWl39kSjG
— deray mckesson (@deray) December 1, 2014
On Sunday, the Ferguson protests were taken on the road, marching to the Rams game — and the Rams showed their support, as several team members walked onto the field showing the “hands up don’t shoot” gesture that has been key in the Ferguson protests. KPLR11 says that at least five players (Stedman Bailey, Jared Cook, Chris Givens, Tavon Austin, and Kenny Britt) gave the gesture in solidarity with the Ferguson protesters.
According to KSDK, the St. Louis Police Officer’s Association condemned this show of solidarity, and speaking for the SLPOA, Jeff Roorda said that he intended to address the matter with NFL officials, asking for the players to be disciplined.
“…it is unthinkable that hometown athletes would so publicly perpetuate a narrative that has been disproven over-and-over again.”
Now, the Lost Voices, a community action group that’s driven much of the protest activity in Ferguson (the peaceful protests, at least), as well as voter registration drives, meetings with legislators, and other activity to try to promote change in their town, say they’re not stopping until they see Darren Wilson face charges.
I’m sure y’all know no indictment means no school no work no shopping.#mikebrown#nojusticenopeace
— Lost Voices (@lostvoices14) December 1, 2014
Back in September, the Lost Voices said they were in for the long haul. At that time, the grand jury had received an extension, allowing them until January to make a decision about Darren Wilson. The Ferguson protests have continued since then, and if the past few months are any sign, they can be expected to continue until the Ferguson residents feel they’ve seen justice.
[Photo: DeRay Mckesson]
