On the anniversary of Michael Brown's death, Ferguson, Mo. looks a little different today than it did a year ago. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the father of Brown, Michael Brown Sr., led a march in honor of his son, who died in a confrontation with St. Louis police officer Darren Wilson this weekend last year. In the 90 degree heat, children played in the streets, police officers handed out popsicles, and protestors took rides in state patrol ATVs.
According to reporter Jack Witthaus, no one in the neighborhood could remember the last time a march had passed through. Michael Brown Sr. led the march, with about 100 people, from Canfield Green Apartments, where his son was shot, to Normandy High School, his son's alma mater. When he died, 18-year-old Brown had just graduated from high school a few days before.
The march started with a group prayer at the memorial site; Michael Brown Sr. has been organizing this and other events (like yesterday's event to feed the homeless and tomorrow's silent walk) through his family's nonprofit. After the prayer, the group marched the five miles to Brown's school, with Da Warehouse Warriors Youth Marching Machine leading the way. "It means a lot," said the mom of two girls in the drumline. "This is a teaching moment to the kids to always stand up for something."
The demonstration went on throughout the afternoon. No injuries or health-related incidents were reported.
[via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
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