Events took place in the city commemorating one year since the police death of Michael Brown.
On Aug. 9, 2014 18-year-old Brown was shot by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Mo. Brown was unarmed. The shooting sparked national outrage with several protests and rallies in cities.
The Black Summer Coalition commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Ferguson uprising Sunday in front of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Coalition includes the organizations Africans Helping Africans; Fight Imperialism, Stand Together; Millions March; People’s Power Assemblies; Shut It Down NYC; and Y-Accountability.
“The violence at these demonstrations comes solely from the police, it is dire for the safety of the Black and Brown community that the NYPD not attend. No one is safe when the police are allowed to run rampant and use deadly force with impunity,” said KaLisa Moore of the People’s Power Assemblies.
Juanita Young, Nicholas Heyward Sr. and other families that have been victims of police killings and supporters to join them in a vigil, protest and march to commemorate the one year anniversary of Brown’s death. The gathering took place on Sunday at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building in Harlem.
In Ferguson, the St. Louis County NAACP hosted a commemoration event. Organizers say city leaders and law enforcement will discuss progress made in the community since last August. Esaw Garner, the wife of New York police killing Eric Ganrer, was in attendance.
“It’s a day to remember what we have done and how far we’ve come and how far yet we have to go,” said Esther Haywood, president of the St. Louis County NAACP.