ST. LOUIS—During the first 12 days of August, friends, family and supporters are traveling to Ferguson, Missouri, for a somber anniversary and reflective commemoration. The Michael Brown Sr. Chosen for Change Organization will host events throughout the St. Louis area commemorating the life of his son, Michael Brown Jr.
August 9 will mark 10 years since the 18-year-old, unarmed, young Black man was shot and killed by former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. His death ignited the Ferguson uprising after the White officer was not indicted in the teen’s death. Ferguson is a suburb of St. Louis.
The Michael Brown Sr. Chosen for Change Organization was founded by Mr. Brown Sr., after the tragic death of his son.
On August 1, 2024, people from the U.S. and abroad are expected to reconvene in Ferguson to stand in solidarity with the Brown family and the many families that have lost loved ones to violence by law enforcement.
According to witnesses on the day Mike Brown Jr. was killed, his hands were raised in the air when he was shot six times and left uncovered in the middle of the street with blood running from his body for four hours.
The horrific image of his body lying there infuriated the community. And with the influence of social media, the word spread about his killing and within hours the streets of Canfield and West Florissant in Ferguson were filled with thousands of people.
The aftermath of Mike Brown Jr.’s death and the non-indictment of Officer Wilson sparked over 14 months of civil unrest, protests and worldwide demonstrations against police-involved shootings. People traveled from many countries to Ferguson in solidarity and the city was dubbed the “epicenter” or “ground zero” for shining more light on racial inequality, police brutality and injustice.
In a 2014 message, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan described the events of Ferguson as the microcosm of the macrocosm, and that it had reached the boiling point. “Black men are being shot down, but the courts don’t give us justice,” said the Minister.
“The shooting of this young man has triggered a response that has been building,” he said in an August 17, 2014, message from Mosque Maryam in Chicago titled, “The Troubled World: What Should We Be Doing?”
The events in Ferguson 10 years ago also placed a spotlight on the militarization of America’s police and their heavy-handed tactics.
“It’s been 10 years and to others, this is an anniversary, but to Mike and his family, it’s still the worst day of their life, because every year during this time he is without his son. But he gets relief when he’s helping other people, and you will see what they have been doing this year,” said Anthony Shahid, a longtime community activist and friend of the Brown family.
“Mike and Cal have never taken a time-out. They have worked to make positive changes in the lives of others and not just thinking about themselves,” he added.
Cal D. Brown is the wife of Mike Brown Sr. She explained the significance of the upcoming events in Ferguson and why people should come and participate. “All roads lead to Ferguson because 10 years ago people traveled those very roads to Ferguson to support a young man they didn’t know. So, we want them to travel that same road back to Ferguson this year to remind people to never forget him,” she said.
“I remember on August 1, 2014, the day Mike Jr. graduated from high school. We took him to lunch, and I will never forget what he said to our family.
He said ‘the world is going to know my name, I’m going to shake the world and I might have to go away for a while, but I’m gonna come back and heal my city,’” said Ms. Brown. “It was those words from Mike that have been the driving force to keep us going.”
The Michael Brown Sr. Chosen for Change Organization also provides care and support for fathers and families. Ms. Brown continued, “We provide support to more than 60 fathers that are from around the world. Chosen Fathers creates a place for those who have suffered a loss, to have the ability to heal, bond and grow together.”
One of Ferguson’s frontline activists Amir, Brandy, told The Final Call that a decade later there is support and solidarity for the Brown family.
“We supported that family and we still do …we are 100 percent behind that family, Lezley McSpadden-Head (Mike Jr.’s mother) and Michael Brown Sr., we are one family.
On May 20, The Michael O.D. Brown Foundation, founded by Ms. McSpadden-Head, hosted a private birth anniversary celebration with family and friends for Mike Jr., commemorating what would have been his 28th birthday. (See the Final Call Vol. 43 No. 36)
During 12 days in Ferguson, there will be several private and public events. For more information, visit www.chosenforchange.org.
