Shooting of Michael Brown facts for kids
The shooting of Michael Brown happened on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, United States. Michael Brown was an 18-year-old African American young man. He died after being shot by Darren Wilson, a 28-year-old white police officer. Some witnesses supported the officer's story about what happened. Michael Brown did not have any weapons.
After the shooting, there were many protests and even riots in Ferguson. News channels and other media in the United States covered the event a lot. People started talking about how Michael Brown's death might be connected to racism in the United States. They pointed out that most police officers in Ferguson were white, while most people living there were African American. Some people also felt that the media was unfair to Michael Brown and those who were protesting.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) started an investigation to see if Michael Brown's civil rights were violated. Important leaders like President Obama, Rand Paul, Hillary Clinton, Al Sharpton, and Bernie Sanders shared their thoughts about Michael Brown's death.
Many people signed a petition asking for a new law. This law, sometimes called "Mike Brown's Law," would require all police officers to wear body cameras. Over 132,000 people signed this petition.
Darren Wilson, the police officer involved, was put on administrative leave, meaning he was temporarily off duty. A group of citizens called a jury decided not to charge him with a crime. He later resigned from the police force on November 29, 2014.
Michael Brown's funeral was held at the Friendly Temple Baptist Church on August 25. At the MTV Video Music Awards, a musician named Common asked everyone to have a moment of silence. He asked for silence "for Mike Brown and for peace in this country and in the world."
Contents
What Happened?
The shooting of Michael Brown led to many discussions across the United States. It brought attention to how police interact with communities, especially with African American people. The events in Ferguson sparked a national conversation about fairness and equal treatment.
The Protests and Their Impact
After Michael Brown's death, people in Ferguson and other cities organized many peaceful protests. They wanted justice for Michael Brown and changes in how policing is done. These protests sometimes turned into riots, with people expressing their anger and frustration. The events helped start the Black Lives Matter movement, which works to end violence and racism against Black people.
Legal Decisions and Aftermath
The decision by the jury not to charge Officer Wilson caused more protests. Many people felt that justice was not served. Officer Wilson resigned from his job a few months later. The events in Ferguson continue to be an important part of the discussion about civil rights and police reform in the United States.
Related events
Images for kids
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Brown in a photo posted to Facebook in May 2013
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St. Louis County police protect the scene eight hours after the shooting
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Bruising on Wilson's face after the shooting
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Protesters react the day following the grand jury decision in Union Square, Manhattan in New York City.
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The site on Canfield Drive in 2020
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Bronze plaque in memory of Michael Brown on sidewalk where shooting incident occurred
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"Hands up!" sign displayed at a Ferguson protest
See also
In Spanish: Muerte de Michael Brown para niños
