PHOTO/TED QUANT
“We see hyper-policing at the same time we see people underemployed and underpaid. We have state-sanctioned violence at the same time we have the state refusing to expand the minimum wage so that people can feed their babies . . . These are the circumstances and conditions that bred the Ferguson uprising, and they are happening in Atlanta and in cities and towns and rural communities all over the United States.” —Mary Hooks, organizer, Southerners on New Ground (SONG), speaking to Atlanta Progressive News.
“After the Ferguson verdict, night after night was wild. We went to West County Mall and started chanting. At first there wasn’t anyone trying to join, but then a group of Caucasian kids were the first ones to join. It surprised me. We said “No Justice.” They said “No peace.” I was happy but shocked. It sent a powerful message. A lot of people are waking up. —Derrick Givens, Ferguson area
““This is not a problem of black and white, but of right and wrong,’ said Tamir Rice’s uncle, Michael Petty, about the police killing in Cleveland of his 12-year old nephew.” (From an article by Connie Schultz in creators.com.)
“About 400 marchers took to the Houston streets in the third ward after the Ferguson grand jury decided not to indict officer Darren Wilson. The march snaked through the third ward community and bystanders were successfully convinced to join in. The march included people from all walks of life, of all ages and nationality.” – Paul Garner, Houston
“How can they expect us not to be angry when we are met with violence and militarization daily? While I’m tired and sickened, I know that’s what they want. They want us to feel broken, they want us to cower, and they want us to tear our communities apart. As the Mexican Proverb says, ‘They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds.’ But we have to realize we are seeds, that we have strength in our DNA. We have to strategize.” —Ife Sangode-Olaitan, student and community activist, Los Angeles
“I am so tired of hearing the phrase “Outside Agitators” created by the police and hyped by the news media. Those people are supporters of the cause, not agitators. I am happy that the world has come together for a shared purpose. I personally welcome all the outside support we can get because we can’t do this alone.”—Velma Robinson, St. Louis
“Ferguson was not an isolated incident. It was a spark that has ignited people all across the county. We continue to stand at a critical junction. Meaning, will true revolution and revival be sparked in this country or is this another moment? In order to make this transformational, I believe we need more of the masses engaged and resisting the police. This movement needs to be connected to similar international struggles happening around the world. All the while, it must be supported and reinforced by strong historical and critical analysis.” — Jayme Baker, Hands Up United, Ferguson
I get it, I really do………blacks are the most likely to be killed. But there are whites out here that are sick of it for you and sick of the rest of it for all of us. Law enforcement abuses go all the way to the bone where color is not an issue. I want to make it a National cry of citizens so loud that it can’t be ignored. Can we please come together without color division, but just brothers and sisters? I don’t feel that different then you……..only in the fact that compared to you, I’ve lived a privileged life regarding education, opportunities and yes less police brutality. Although between 16 and 19 I couldn’t seem to avoid really rough bad cop encounters. Together please…..