The events in Ferguson have been over the news over the last 10 days. The repercussions are nowhere near to end. The unrest over the the killing on Saturday, August 9, 2014, of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer, Darren Wilson, appears to take bad to worse turns, as days go by.
The frustration of the residents of Ferguson and protesters appears to be fueled by multiple events, actions, or the lack thereof. There was first the lack of or contadictory information from the police and local politiccians: so far, the police and local authorities have been unable to provide information on the murder. Then, there was a forced curfew from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM. Finally, Missouri's Governor Jay Nixon's decision to call in the National Gauard and to order a "non gathering" protest.
The situation has become volatile since, with some protesters looting stores, the police using tear gas, and some people being arrested. Protesters held signs with "Do Not Shoot" message, alluding to the fact that, according to several witnesses to the shooting, Michael Brown, may have raised his hands as a sign of submission and said "Do not shoot. I am unarmed", before the policeman shot and killed him. According to an independent autopsy, ordered by Michael Brown's family, Michael Brown was shot 6 times, with two bullets hitting the eye and the brain and leading to his death.
On Monday, August 18, 2014, Hedy Epstein, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, was placed under arrest in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, "for failing to disperse" during a protest. Famous for her involvement in civil rights movements across the World, she is, so far, one of the most known figures to be arrested for protesting the teenager killing.
Several journalists were also arrested. The tensions have prompted Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to send observers into Ferguson, a first in the US History.
The killing, protests, and arrests have prompted the US President Obama, to address the Nation on Monday. During his address and the answers to the media, he condemned the arrest of journalists and peaceful protesters and promised to monitor the National Guard presence and to make sure the forces are "used in a limited and appropriate way." before warning that, "there is no excuse for excessive force by police,"
He also ordered the US Attorney General, Eric Holder, to travel to Missouri on Wednesday, to supervise the work of FBI, local judiciary system, and other related agencies investigating the killing.
