Grand Rapids, MI – 100 people gathered in solidarity with the African American community of Ferguson, Missouri and to remember police shooting victim Michael Brown, Aug 16. Organized by two African American women, the crowd stood with their hands up so photographers could take photos on Calder Plaza. During the second round of photos outside Grand Rapids City Hall, the crowd chanted, “Hands up, don’t shoot!”

Tampa, FL – Activists and community members gathered on Aug. 16 in front of the Tampa Police Department to protest the police murder of unarmed black teen Mike Brown and police brutality against protesters in Ferguson, Missouri.

Authorities want to repress fight to get justice for Michael Brown

Ferguson, MO – Governor Jay Nixon, a democrat, held a press conference here, Aug. 16, where he announced a state of emergency in Ferguson, placing the town under a curfew from midnight to 5:00 a.m. This announcement comes on the heels of peaceful protesters being tear gassed by riot police in the early morning hours.

Ferguson, MO – The joyful atmosphere in the streets of Ferguson came to an end in the early morning hours of Aug. 16 when law enforcement launched tear gas and flash-bang grenades at peaceful protesters. At around midnight, law enforcement in riot gear started to threaten protesters with force if they didn't disperse. The crowd didn't back down from police threats and stayed in the streets with their hands up, chanting. The crowd of a few hundred included young and older people with a few children holding signs.

Fight to get justice for Michael Brown continues

Ferguson, MO – With rain coming down around 8:00 p.m. here Aug. 15, more than 700 community members are out in force again, protesting the killing of Michael Brown at the hands of the Ferguson Police Department. People from all over the country are pouring into this Saint Louis suburb to support the community.

Jacksonville, FL – Members of the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition (JPC) will be hosting a solidarity march demanding “Justice for Michael Brown!” at 6:00 pm on Saturday, Aug. 16, starting at Hemming Plaza in downtown Jacksonville.

Ferguson, MO – Earlier this morning, Aug. 15, Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson identified police officer Darren Wilson as the cop who murdered 18-year-old Black teenager Michael Brown on Aug. 9.

Ferguson, MO – It is shortly after midnight, Aug. 15, and easily at least a thousand members of the Ferguson community have taken the streets tonight in what it seems like a atmosphere of celebration. Residents said that they are overjoyed that the police, at least tonight, have withdrawn their militarized force from their streets.

Grand Rapids, MI – As part of a national call for vigils, over 50 people gathered for Michael Brown at Cherry Park here, Aug. 14. Michael Brown is the teenager who just graduated high school and was about to start college, but was murdered by a white policeman in Ferguson, Missouri. There are large and militant protests taking place every day and night in Ferguson calling for justice and to jail the killer cop.

Ferguson, MO – Early this evening, Aug. 14, at about 5:00 p.m., around 100 people from the area are protesting outside the QuikTrip gas station on West Florissant Avenue, the building razed to the ground by protesters days ago after the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. The gas station is ground zero for a lot of the activity here in Ferguson.

On Aug. 9, Michael Brown was murdered by the police in Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. The African-American youth was only 18 years old. He was unarmed and committed no crime, yet was brutally shot by the police after they stopped and harassed him while he walked to his grandmother's house. Michael had a bright future ahead of him, as he was set to start classes at Vatterott College just a few days later. His family was proud of their son.

New York, NY – Eric Garner, an African American father of six, was brutally murdered at the hands of the New York City Police after an officer placed him in an illegal chokehold on July 17. Garner can be heard telling officers that he couldn't breathe in a video taken by a witness. After killing Garner, officers can be seen in the video searching his pockets instead of calling for medical attention. The officers have yet to be fired and charged for their crimes; instead have been placed on desk duty.

Durham, NC – Another Durham resident has now died in a controversial encounter with the Durham Police Department. This time it was teenager and local Riverside High School student, Jesus Huerta. An official response from Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez claims that 17-year-old Jesus Huerta died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while under arrest in the back seat of a police squad car. After Durham police officer Samuel Duncan arrested Huerta, reports state that Officer Duncan heard a loud noise from the vehicle’s rear seat and jumped out of his moving patrol cruiser. Duncan’s squad car then slammed into a parked van, leaving Huerta shot and killed in the process. This incident occurred right outside of the Durham Police Department headquarters parking lot.

Milwaukee, WI – Following the not guilty verdict for George Zimmerman, who stalked and killed Trayvon Martin, emergency demonstrations started the night of Saturday, July 13 and went on into early Sunday morning.

Milwaukee, WI – Community members rallied in memory of Derek Williams, who was killed in the custody of the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) on July 6, 2011, two years ago to the day. Militant protests against MPD brutality and corruption have been happening regularly for over a year, and protesters routinely take over major streets for hours on end. This time however, the police response was far more aggressive, resulting in a heated confrontation on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Minneapolis, MN – Hundreds of people marched through the streets of downtown Minneapolis on May 31 to demand justice for Terrance “Mookie” Franklin, a 22-year-old African American man killed by the police in a South Minneapolis home on May 10.

Milwaukee, WI – Dozens of people took to the downtown streets here, March 29, in response to Special Prosecutor John Franke's decision to not seek any charges against the Milwaukee police officers who killed Derek Williams.

Milwaukee, WI – Occupy the Hood-Milwaukee has called for a protest on March 29 following the news that the three white Milwaukee police who killed Derek Williams – a Black man – will not face state criminal charges. Two federal investigations are still ongoing.

We stand with Carol Gray, the mother of Kimani Gray, in demanding his murderers be taken off the streets of New York City before they take another young life. Police who murder need to be punished. A few weeks suspension is not enough. The murderers of Kimani Gray need to go to prison.