The President and Crew put a lot of pressure on events in Ferguson, some would argue causing a boiling kettle to boil over. The following timeline draws heavily from Newsweek, however I have filled in the details from other sources. Feel free to share.
AUGUST 9th
While driving a police SUV, Wilson encounters Brown and a friend of Brown walking down the street about midday. Accounts differ but witnesses agree there was a confrontation and Wilson fired multiple shots at Brown, killing him. Autopsies found that Brown had been shot at least six times.
Aug. 12th
President Barack Obama calls for reflection and promises a U.S. Justice Department investigation. Brown's father urges an end to the violence.
Statement by the President on the Passing of Michael Brown:
"The death of Michael Brown is heartbreaking, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family and his community at this very difficult time. As Attorney General Holder has indicated, the Department of Justice is investigating the situation along with local officials, and they will continue to direct resources to the case as needed. I know the events of the past few days have prompted strong passions, but as details unfold, I urge everyone in Ferguson, Missouri, and across the country, to remember this young man through reflection and understanding. We should comfort each other and talk with one another in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds. Along with our prayers, that’s what Michael and his family, and our broader American community, deserve."
Aug. 14th
After complaints of heavy-handed police tactics, Governor Jay Nixon puts the Missouri Highway Patrol in charge of security, led by Captain Ron Johnson, an African-American from the area. Protests are boisterous but peaceful.
This is PRIOR to the release of the name of Officer Wilson...
Nixon says the security will be overseen by Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Johnson, who is black, said he grew up in the community and "it means a lot to me personally that we break this cycle of violence."
FROM KCTV-5:
"Johnson said the community, state and even the nation "are looking for law enforcement leadership that serves the citizens," and every interaction with citizens will be done with the utmost of respect. "I understand the anger and fear that the citizens of Ferguson are feeling, and our police officers will respect both of those," Johnson said. Nixon promised a "different tone" in dealing with protests and issues in the coming days than has been seen. "We need to dim that acceleration," he said.
He said one way toward doing that is to expeditiously release the name of the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown Jr., while ensuring the officer receives proper security protection.
"I would hope that the appropriate release of that name with the security around it to make sure thatthere is no additional of violence be done as expeditiously as possible," he said. "I think it would be an important milestone here to get that out as expeditiously as possible."
Aug. 15th
Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson identifies Wilson as the officer who shot Brown. Jackson releases security video of a strong-arm robbery at a convenience store minutes before the shooting that shows Brown shoving a store clerk. Jackson says later that Wilson's stop of Brown was unrelated to the robbery.
Aug. 16th
Gov. Nixon declares a state of emergency and sets a curfew.
From Washington Times:
"Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon pleaded for peaceful protests in Ferguson ahead of the grand jury’s announcement later this evening on whether Officer Darren Wilson will be indicted for the shooting death of unarmed black teen Michael Brown. “Our shared hope and expatiation is that people on all sides show tolerance, mutual respect and restraint,” Mr. Nixon said. “Together we are all focused to make sure that the necessary resources are at hand to protect lives, to protect business and to protect free speech,” he said.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to plan and be prepared for any contingency, it is necessary to have these resources in place in advance of any announcement of the grand jury’s decision,” Mr. Nixon said in a press release last week. “We will protect your right to peacefully assemble and speak your mind … But turning violent and damaging property will not be tolerated,” Mr. Slay said."
"Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon pleaded for peaceful protests in Ferguson ahead of the grand jury’s announcement later this evening on whether Officer Darren Wilson will be indicted for the shooting death of unarmed black teen Michael Brown. “Our shared hope and expatiation is that people on all sides show tolerance, mutual respect and restraint,” Mr. Nixon said. “Together we are all focused to make sure that the necessary resources are at hand to protect lives, to protect business and to protect free speech,” he said.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to plan and be prepared for any contingency, it is necessary to have these resources in place in advance of any announcement of the grand jury’s decision,” Mr. Nixon said in a press release last week. “We will protect your right to peacefully assemble and speak your mind … But turning violent and damaging property will not be tolerated,” Mr. Slay said."
Aug. 17th
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder orders the Justice Department to conduct its own autopsy on Brown. Gunfire rings out during protests and police disperse demonstrators with tear gas.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder orders the Justice Department to conduct its own autopsy on Brown. Gunfire rings out during protests and police disperse demonstrators with tear gas.
"The autopsy report, obtained by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and published on its website, suggested Brown sustained a gunshot wound to the hand from close range and came as a grand jury considered whether Wilson should face charges. "The department considers the selective release of information in this investigation to be irresponsible and highly troubling," Justice Department spokeswoman Dena Iverson said.
"Since the release of the convenience store footage there seems to be an inappropriate effort to influence public opinion about this case," Iverson added, referring to the Ferguson police department's release of video shortly after the shooting that showed a robbery at a nearby convenience store, although it did not specifically link Brown at the time to the footage.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder expressed frustration with local officials investigating the incident as the Justice Department also conducts a federal investigation, according to a department official. In a meeting with Justice Department lawyers on Wednesday, Holder said he was "exasperated" by the "selective flow of information coming out of Missouri" and called the leaks "inappropriate and troubling," the official said."
Aug. 18th
Nixon lifts the curfew and sends the National Guard to Ferguson. The Brown family releases results of a private autopsy
Aug. 20th
A St. Louis County grand jury begins hearing evidence
Nixon lifts the curfew and sends the National Guard to Ferguson. The Brown family releases results of a private autopsy
Aug. 20th
A St. Louis County grand jury begins hearing evidence
Aug 23rdFerguson Protester Confronts Jesse Jackson: "When You Going To Stop Selling Us Out?"
In a video obtained by the website Western Journalism, Jesse Jackson is stopped and confronted by at least two protesters at a McDonalds in Ferguson, Missouri who criticize his lack of involvement on the ground and his position in the black community. The protesters were talking through the passenger window of a car as Jackson was being chauffeured around.
"You've been marching all day long? We haven’t seen you marching all day long. Are you going to pay the bond of those brothers that’s been locked up?" the man asked Jackson "Are you marching today with us, or are you just going to sit in the car?" another man said. "We ain't seen you," the first man said. "When you going to stop selling us out, Jesse? We don’t want you here in St. Louis. When you going to stop selling us out, Jesse?" Jackson remained silent throughout the ordeal.
Opportunist Jesse Jackson Asks For Donations In Ferguson, And Protesters Have None Of It
Whenever any race-related incident happens anywhere in America, you can be sure that The Reverend Jesse Jackson will soon show up.And show up he did in Ferguson, Missouri. The founder of Rainbow/PUSH coalition got on the bullhorn to speak with protesters… until they just about ran him out of town.According to reports and from witnesses on Twitter, Jackson asked protesters for donations for his church. This may be a new low for Jesse Jackson. Maybe he should save his pandering for a more appropriate setting."
Aug 26th
Michael Brown buried, Al Sharpton presides at funeral
From Talking Points Memo:
"Rev. Al Sharpton delivered a nuanced eulogy Monday at the funeral for Michael Brown, a fiery speech that was one part a critique of overzealous policing and one part a candid commentary on problems in the black community. Quick: Which part do you think Fox News played up?
Never mind that there was plenty in Sharpton's stemwinder that should have pleased Fox's biggest star, Bill O'Reilly, who for years has harangued black people to eradicate what he deems as social and cultural ills in their community.
"Blackness has never been about being a gangster or thug," Sharpton said in the eulogy for the 18-year-old who was killed by a white police officer earlier this month in Ferguson, Mo. "Blackness was no matter how low we was pushed down, we rose up anyhow." He continued with that theme, even denouncing what he described as "ghetto pity parties."
Sharpton:
Blackness was never surrendering our pursuit of excellence. It was when it was against the law to go to some schools, we built black colleges and learned anyhow. When we couldn't go downtown to church we built our own AME church, and our church of God and Christ. We never surrendered, we never gave up, and now we get to the 21st century, we get to where we got some positions of power. And you decide it ain't black no more to be successful. Now you wanna be a nigga and call your woman a ho, you lost where you come from.
We've got to clean up our community so we can clean up the United States of America! Rev. Al, you don't understand what they doin' to us. I understand. But I understand that nobody gonna help us if we don't help ourselves. Sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves won't solve our problems. Sitting around having ghetto pity parties rather than organizing and strategizing and putting our differences aside. Yes, we got young and old. Yes, we got things that we don't like about each other, but it's bigger than our egos. It's bigger than everybody. We need everybody because I'm gonna tell you, I don't care how much money you got, I don't care what position you hold. I don't care how much education you got. If we can't protect a child walking down the street in Ferguson, and protect him, and bring justice, all you got don't matter to nobody but you!
Some conservative commentators picked up on this. The Washington Examiner's Byron York noticed the rhetoric, writing about Sharpton's "serious moral hectoring of black people" in a column published Tuesday. Former Republican congressman Joe Scarborough, Sharpton's colleague at MSNBC, praised the eulogy, saying that the civil rights leader delivered a "strong statement" to the black community."
Oct 24th
Holder Justice Dept "exasperated" by local probe of shooting
"The autopsy report, obtained by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and published on its website, suggested Brown sustained a gunshot wound to the hand from close range and came as a grand jury considered whether Wilson should face charges. "The department considers the selective release of information in this investigation to be irresponsible and highly troubling," Justice Department spokeswoman Dena Iverson said.
"Since the release of the convenience store footage there seems to be an inappropriate effort to influence public opinion about this case," Iverson added, referring to the Ferguson police department's release of video shortly after the shooting that showed a robbery at a nearby convenience store, although it did not specifically link Brown at the time to the footage.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder expressed frustration with local officials investigating the incident as the Justice Department also conducts a federal investigation, according to a department official. In a meeting with Justice Department lawyers on Wednesday, Holder said he was "exasperated" by the "selective flow of information coming out of Missouri" and called the leaks "inappropriate and troubling," the official said."
Oct. 23rd
Amnesty International Releases New Ferguson Report Documenting Human Rights Abuses
"Following the initial protests in Ferguson, Missouri sparked by the shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown, Amnesty International USA dispatched a human rights delegation which included observers to monitor the protests and police response.
Today, the human rights organization has released a new report, On the Streets of America: Human Rights Abuses in Ferguson, documenting the human rights concerns witnessed first-hand by Amnesty International while in Ferguson from August 14-22, 2014. The report also outlines a series of recommendations that need to be implemented with regards to the use of force by law enforcement officers and the policing of protests.
This weekend, human rights activists are gathering in St. Louis for Amnesty International USA’s 2014 Midwest Regional Conference.
“What Amnesty International witnessed in Missouri on the ground this summer underscored that human rights abuses do not just happen across borders and oceans,” said Steven W. Hawkins, executive director of Amnesty International USA.
“No matter where you live in the world, everyone is entitled to the same basic rights as a human being – and one of those rights is the freedom to peacefully protest. Standing on W. Florissant Avenue with my colleagues, I saw a police force, armed to the teeth, with military-grade weapons. I saw a crowd that included the elderly and young children fighting the effects of tear gas. There must be accountability and systemic change that follows this excessive force.”"
Nov. 11th
President Barack Obama told national civil rights leaders he wanted to see protests in Ferguson, Mo., “staying on course” in the lead-up to the highly anticipated grand jury ruling on the fate of police officer Darren Wilson. When Obama met with a group of civil rights activists including Rev. Al Sharpton at the White House on Nov. 5, the day after his party’s defeat in the midterm elections, he expressed his commitment to keeping the protests in Ferguson “on course.”
Sharpton said Obama “was concerned about Ferguson staying on course in terms of pursuing what it was that he knew we were advocating. He said he hopes that we’re doing all we can to keep peace,” according to the 21st paragraph of a New York Times article.
"Rev. Al Sharpton delivered a nuanced eulogy Monday at the funeral for Michael Brown, a fiery speech that was one part a critique of overzealous policing and one part a candid commentary on problems in the black community. Quick: Which part do you think Fox News played up?
Never mind that there was plenty in Sharpton's stemwinder that should have pleased Fox's biggest star, Bill O'Reilly, who for years has harangued black people to eradicate what he deems as social and cultural ills in their community.
"Blackness has never been about being a gangster or thug," Sharpton said in the eulogy for the 18-year-old who was killed by a white police officer earlier this month in Ferguson, Mo. "Blackness was no matter how low we was pushed down, we rose up anyhow." He continued with that theme, even denouncing what he described as "ghetto pity parties."
Sharpton:
Blackness was never surrendering our pursuit of excellence. It was when it was against the law to go to some schools, we built black colleges and learned anyhow. When we couldn't go downtown to church we built our own AME church, and our church of God and Christ. We never surrendered, we never gave up, and now we get to the 21st century, we get to where we got some positions of power. And you decide it ain't black no more to be successful. Now you wanna be a nigga and call your woman a ho, you lost where you come from.
We've got to clean up our community so we can clean up the United States of America! Rev. Al, you don't understand what they doin' to us. I understand. But I understand that nobody gonna help us if we don't help ourselves. Sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves won't solve our problems. Sitting around having ghetto pity parties rather than organizing and strategizing and putting our differences aside. Yes, we got young and old. Yes, we got things that we don't like about each other, but it's bigger than our egos. It's bigger than everybody. We need everybody because I'm gonna tell you, I don't care how much money you got, I don't care what position you hold. I don't care how much education you got. If we can't protect a child walking down the street in Ferguson, and protect him, and bring justice, all you got don't matter to nobody but you!
Some conservative commentators picked up on this. The Washington Examiner's Byron York noticed the rhetoric, writing about Sharpton's "serious moral hectoring of black people" in a column published Tuesday. Former Republican congressman Joe Scarborough, Sharpton's colleague at MSNBC, praised the eulogy, saying that the civil rights leader delivered a "strong statement" to the black community."
Sept. 3th
Nixon lifts the Ferguson state of emergency
Nixon lifts the Ferguson state of emergency
Sept. 4th
U.S. Justice Department announces civil investigation of Ferguson police
U.S. Justice Department announces civil investigation of Ferguson police
"In a press conference at the Justice Department headquarters, Holder stressed how both his own experience with law enforcement, as well as interactions with Ferguson residents on the Aug. 20 visit, had weighed on the decision to launch the broader investigation. Holder was both praised and criticized for making the trip while tension ran high.
“I think the trip was invaluable for my own perspective to have obtained in a very personal way a sense of what the situation was there, by interacting with residents of Ferguson, by speaking to the investigators who were involved in the ongoing investigation,” Holder said. The Post-Dispatch reported in the wake of the Brown shooting that since 1997, 21 law enforcement agencies around the country — starting with Pittsburgh and ranging from East Haven, Conn., to Los Angeles — have signed consent agreements to improve policing after Justice Department investigations.
Holder has stepped up the pace of investigations of local police, with twice as many as any predecessor, according to the Washington Post. The Post has reported that at least 34 departments are now being investigated. Holder said he did not think Thursday’s announcement would influence St. Louis County’s investigation of the shooting, or the grand jury that has been hearing evidence on it. “One should not draw a connection between what we are doing today and … what the grand jury is considering,” Holder said. “These are separate matters.”
Brown family attorney Benjamin Crump issued a statement saying the family was “encouraged” by the broader, departmental investigation. “We believe that transparency in law enforcement is the only way to build trust in the community, not just in the killing of Michael Brown, but for others who have suffered as well,” the statement said. “That is why we are advocating for the use of body cameras for law enforcement around the country. We can’t have another young man’s life taken amid murky circumstances.”"
“I think the trip was invaluable for my own perspective to have obtained in a very personal way a sense of what the situation was there, by interacting with residents of Ferguson, by speaking to the investigators who were involved in the ongoing investigation,” Holder said. The Post-Dispatch reported in the wake of the Brown shooting that since 1997, 21 law enforcement agencies around the country — starting with Pittsburgh and ranging from East Haven, Conn., to Los Angeles — have signed consent agreements to improve policing after Justice Department investigations.
Holder has stepped up the pace of investigations of local police, with twice as many as any predecessor, according to the Washington Post. The Post has reported that at least 34 departments are now being investigated. Holder said he did not think Thursday’s announcement would influence St. Louis County’s investigation of the shooting, or the grand jury that has been hearing evidence on it. “One should not draw a connection between what we are doing today and … what the grand jury is considering,” Holder said. “These are separate matters.”
Brown family attorney Benjamin Crump issued a statement saying the family was “encouraged” by the broader, departmental investigation. “We believe that transparency in law enforcement is the only way to build trust in the community, not just in the killing of Michael Brown, but for others who have suffered as well,” the statement said. “That is why we are advocating for the use of body cameras for law enforcement around the country. We can’t have another young man’s life taken amid murky circumstances.”"
Oct 24th
Holder Justice Dept "exasperated" by local probe of shooting
"The autopsy report, obtained by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and published on its website, suggested Brown sustained a gunshot wound to the hand from close range and came as a grand jury considered whether Wilson should face charges. "The department considers the selective release of information in this investigation to be irresponsible and highly troubling," Justice Department spokeswoman Dena Iverson said.
"Since the release of the convenience store footage there seems to be an inappropriate effort to influence public opinion about this case," Iverson added, referring to the Ferguson police department's release of video shortly after the shooting that showed a robbery at a nearby convenience store, although it did not specifically link Brown at the time to the footage.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder expressed frustration with local officials investigating the incident as the Justice Department also conducts a federal investigation, according to a department official. In a meeting with Justice Department lawyers on Wednesday, Holder said he was "exasperated" by the "selective flow of information coming out of Missouri" and called the leaks "inappropriate and troubling," the official said."
Oct. 23rd
Amnesty International Releases New Ferguson Report Documenting Human Rights Abuses
"Following the initial protests in Ferguson, Missouri sparked by the shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown, Amnesty International USA dispatched a human rights delegation which included observers to monitor the protests and police response.
Today, the human rights organization has released a new report, On the Streets of America: Human Rights Abuses in Ferguson, documenting the human rights concerns witnessed first-hand by Amnesty International while in Ferguson from August 14-22, 2014. The report also outlines a series of recommendations that need to be implemented with regards to the use of force by law enforcement officers and the policing of protests.
This weekend, human rights activists are gathering in St. Louis for Amnesty International USA’s 2014 Midwest Regional Conference.
“What Amnesty International witnessed in Missouri on the ground this summer underscored that human rights abuses do not just happen across borders and oceans,” said Steven W. Hawkins, executive director of Amnesty International USA.
“No matter where you live in the world, everyone is entitled to the same basic rights as a human being – and one of those rights is the freedom to peacefully protest. Standing on W. Florissant Avenue with my colleagues, I saw a police force, armed to the teeth, with military-grade weapons. I saw a crowd that included the elderly and young children fighting the effects of tear gas. There must be accountability and systemic change that follows this excessive force.”"
Nov. 11th
Nixon says violence will not be tolerated if demonstrations follow grand jury announcement in Brown shooting.
Nov. 17th
Nov. 17th
Nixon declares a state of emergency, allowing him to call up National Guard in advance of a grand jury announcement. President Obama tells protesters to "stay the course"
President Barack Obama told national civil rights leaders he wanted to see protests in Ferguson, Mo., “staying on course” in the lead-up to the highly anticipated grand jury ruling on the fate of police officer Darren Wilson. When Obama met with a group of civil rights activists including Rev. Al Sharpton at the White House on Nov. 5, the day after his party’s defeat in the midterm elections, he expressed his commitment to keeping the protests in Ferguson “on course.”
Sharpton said Obama “was concerned about Ferguson staying on course in terms of pursuing what it was that he knew we were advocating. He said he hopes that we’re doing all we can to keep peace,” according to the 21st paragraph of a New York Times article.
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