Dozens of demonstrators took to the streets of St. Louis on Sunday to re-enact the police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who died 100 days ago in front of his suburban home.
Protesters laid down in the street outside of a downtown theater hosting a film festival, pretending to have been shot by other protesters playing the role of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, who shot Brown on Aug. 9, Reuters reported.
Marchers went on to briefly block a major intersection near Washington University, but the event eventually ended peacefully, Reuters said.
“This is a mature movement. It is a different movement that it was in August. Then it just had anger, justifiable anger,” said protest leader DeRay McKesson. “Now we are organized. We are strategizing. And we are going to bring our message to the power structure.”
A grand jury is currently deliberating whether to bring criminal charges against Wilson, as Ferguson officials prepare for expected riots should there be an acquittal.
“We are bracing for that possibility. That is what many people are expecting. The entire community is going to be upset,” if Wilson is not indicted, said Jose Chavez, a leader of the local Latinos en Axion group, Reuters reported.
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Rockit Ali, an organizer of Sunday’s demonstration, said violence shouldn’t be ruled out if the grand jury acquits Wilson.
“Rioting and looting are the tools of those without a voice. The rioting and looting, while I didn’t participate in it, was necessary. Without it we would not be standing here today,” he told Reuters. “There is no revolution without violence.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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