Salt Lake City, UT – More than 1000 people rallied in front of the Wallace Bennett Federal Building on Nov. 29 to stand in solidarity with the people of Ferguson in their fight for justice. Protesters were both mournful about the police murder of Mike Brown and furious about the failure of the Ferguson grand jury to indict Brown’s killer. The large turnout in Salt Lake City is due to killer cops and police brutality in Utah, where many families are suffering injustices.

The first speaker, Bárbara Ochoa, stated to the crowd's roar of approval, “Ferguson is not in a state of chaos, but a state of revolution.”

Another speaker, Karen Rodriguez said, “This is our time! This is our civil rights movement!” Her speech was interrupted by long applause.

The crowd chanted, “Dare to struggle, dare to win, never silent, never again!” reflecting protest leaders’ and families’ promises that this movement does not end with this protest. Organizers see this as the beginning of a long campaign to get justice for victims of police brutality in Utah.

Asked about the campaign for justice, Chris Manor, organizer for Utah Against Police Brutality said, “There is a truth in this situation – killer cops will no longer be able to get away with murder.”

The rally turned into a march that blocked streets and intersections. First, there was a march to the Matheson Court house, then a march to the Public Safety Building. When arriving at the Public Safety Building the protesters shouted, “From Ferguson to SLC, end police brutality!”

“There is no safety in the Public Safety Building. There is no justice in the courts. We need to look out for each other and there is only justice in the streets!” said Gregory Lucero of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Protesters then marched back to the Federal Building where, in an effort to curb any attempts by the police to intimidate or repress the movement, Gregory Lucero led one last chant and then advised, “When an officer asks you about what somebody did, or who did something, what is the correct response, regardless of what you thought of it? I am happy not to talk to you.”

#SaltLakeCityUT #PoliceBrutality #MichaelBrown #Ferguson #DarrenWilson

Milwaukee, WI – Students from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) held a die-in on Nov. 25, in reaction to Ferguson cop Darren Wilson not being indicted for killing Mike Brown. About 40 students participated in the protest and many more watched.

Students yelled, “Hands up, don’t shoot!” then they all simultaneously fell on the floor, lying down to represent the deaths of innocent Black and Brown youth at the hands of police officers. Afterwards, the students gathered and shared their feelings about racist cops and the Darren Wilson grand jury decision.

“I shouldn’t have to worry about being targeted by cops as I wait on the bus stop,” said UWM student Lavelle Young.

#MilwaukeeWI #StudentMovement #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #Antiracism #MichaelBrown #Ferguson #DarrenWilson #UWMilwaukee

Gainesville, FL – 100 students and community members protested the Ferguson grand jury decision, the failure to indict police officer Darren Wilson. Gathering at the Alachua County Court House in Gainesville at on Nov. 25, the protesters, wearing raincoats and holding umbrellas, stood in solidarity as the rain fell.

Eric Brown, speaking on behalf of Students for a Democratic Society, emphasized that Michael Brown was one of many police killings, “I have to ask the question. What do we mean when we say Black lives matter? Because for us to move forward, Black lives can't equal Black men, but must include women, trans people, and all the intersections that exist under the identity of Black.”

In between speeches, protesters chanted, “No justice! No peace!”

This past summer, when African Americans and others were protesting Brown’s murder in Ferguson, Palestine was coping with the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Palestinians tweeted and messaged the Ferguson protesters messages of solidarity and ways to deal with tear gas.

Farah Kahn, vice-president of University of Florida Students for Justice in Palestine, said, “The solidarity between Ferguson and Palestine shows the strength in uniting against a common enemy. There is a slow genocide happening in Palestine, and there is also a genocide happening right here within the U.S. against Black people and people of color.”

Nailah Summers, a Gainesville activist and the Civic Media Center coordinator, talked after the event, “I think Ferguson and the refusal to indict Darren Wilson for Michael Brown's murder tells us a few things many of us already knew. Black lives are less-than, aren't considered whole and worthy of even the most basic protections of the law. Look at how so much of the commentary following the announcement has revolved around Black 'animals' looting. 108 days fighting for scraps of the justice system and it's all been boiled down to this bullshit narrative.”

Summers continued, “The other thing Ferguson shows us is that it's time to get creative. We've been marching and singing and holding signs for more than half a century. And while all of those things have become inherent parts of our culture and the struggle for freedom, it's not working anymore. So it's time for us to hit the drawing board again because we're ready to fight back, we just have to figure out what that looks like.”

Along with University of Florida SDS and SJP, participating groups included Dream Defenders, Uhuru Solidarity, and Occupy Gainesville.

#GainesvilleFL #PoliceBrutality #MichaelBrown #Ferguson #DarrenWilson

Jacksonville, FL – More than 30 people from the Jacksonville community gathered in Hemming Plaza downtown here, Nov. 24 to protest the Ferguson grand jury verdict and demand justice for Michael Brown.

Organized by the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition (JPC), the protest began a little over an hour before the verdict was announced. Within minutes of arriving, the crowd was forced out of the plaza by Jacksonville police officers, who claimed the park was closed. Undeterred by the police intimidation, the group regrouped on the sidewalk around the plaza and began chanting, “Michael Brown means we've got to fight back!”

Protesters carried signs reading, “Hands up! Don't shoot!” and “Justice for Michael Brown.” As the time of the verdict announcement grew closer, more people arrived and passing cars honked in support.

Several speakers addressed the protest to talk about the case in Ferguson and its relevance to Jacksonville. Fernando Figueroa, an organizer with the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition, said, “What happened to Michael Brown in Ferguson happens to young Black men in Jacksonville constantly.” Figueroa continued, “We know that this injustice system will never win justice for the victims of racist violence and police brutality. Justice doesn't come from the courts, but from us marching in the streets.”

After hearing from several speakers from the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition and the community, protesters gathered around a bullhorn to listen to the announcement. Holding their rally signs close, the crowd gasped as they heard the announcement that killer cop Darren Wilson would not face any criminal charges in the killing of Brown.

When the verdict was announced, protesters held four-and-a-half minutes of silence, which the Brown family requested to symbolize the four-and-a-half hours the Ferguson police left Michael's body in the hot midday sun after he was killed. Immediately after, the crowd broke into chants of “No justice! No peace! No racist police!”

The crowd marched around Hemming Plaza, drawing some more support from passing cars. As the event drew to a close, protesters vowed to continue building the movement to win justice for Michael Brown and stop racist police brutality.

#JacksonvilleFL #PoliceBrutality #JacksonvilleProgressiveCoalition #MichaelBrown #Ferguson #DarrenWilson

Miami, FL – On Nov. 25, nearly 200 community members in Miami held an angry protest. It was a reaction to the grand jury’s failure to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson after he shot an unarmed African American teen, Mike Brown, to death in the street. The protesters chanted, “No justice, no peace!” and “If we don’t get it, shut it down!” Miami police arrested two organizers for standing in the wrong place. Later, protesters shut down traffic intersections.

At the beginning of the rally, police put caution tape around the area in front of the Miami-Dade Courthouse. The protesters marched through the tape, tearing it down. Two of the organizers, Philip Agnew and Jeremy Shaw, began speaking. Each of them were tackled to the ground and arrested by three police officers who claimed the protest leaders should not be standing on the steps. Protesters were infuriated. The rally continued with speakers for two hours before the group marched and took to the streets. Marching against oncoming traffic, they received great support from motorists in the street. The protesters were emboldened by the support of the people and began to shut down intersections. At this point, one motorist became aggressive and tried to run down marchers.

Protesters plan to continue to organize around these issues, with upcoming events including a solidarity protest with Mexican activists, a teach-in about the Florida State Attorney Angela Corey’s mistreatment of Marissa Alexander and gendered violence, and a strategy meeting of the Miami Committee on State Violence.

#MiamiFL #PoliceBrutality #MichaelBrown #Ferguson #DarrenWilson

Minneapolis, MN – An estimated 5000 people marched here, Nov. 25, in the wake of the Ferguson, Missouri grand jury decision to not indict the cop who murdered Mike Brown.

After filling the streets in front of the Minneapolis Police Third Precinct station, at the busy intersection of Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue, protesters marched down both sides of the six-lane Highway 55, which is connected to the metro freeway system.

According to eye witnesses, one demonstrator was injured when a car driven by a white male purposely drove into demonstrators before the march. The injured woman was taken away in an ambulance.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of college students participated in a campus protest. Also, students at Minneapolis’ South High School held a large sit-in and march.

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #MichaelBrown #Ferguson #DarrenWilson

Tampa, FL – Over 60 people gathered at the Hillsborough Courthouse located on Twiggs Avenue in downtown here Nov. 25, to protest the injustice against Mike Brown of Ferguson, Missouri. Lightning, thunder and a constant downpour could not stop protesters from expressing their anger.

Organized by the group Anonymous Florida, in the course of less than 24 hours, people made posters on the spot that read, “Jail the killer cop!” and “Black lives matter!”

On Nov. 24, under the direction of Saint Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, the grand jury decided to let Mike Brown's killer, officer Darrel Wilson, walk free without an indictment. Immediately, people all over the country came out to fight back against this injustice.

Melanie Andrade of Dream Defenders said, “I drove more than two hours in the pouring rain. Nothing, not even the rain, could stop me from coming out to protest this injustice!”

The crowd chanted, “No justice, no peace! No racist police!” and “Hands up, fight back!” led by community activist Connie Burton. Leaders from a range of groups joined together, including Tampa Food Not Bombs, Raices en Tampa, and Dream Defenders. More actions are planned.

#TampaFL #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #MichaelBrown #Ferguson #DarrenWilson

Milwaukee WI – Dozens of people gathered on Nov. 24 at Red Arrow Park, downtown Milwaukee, anticipating the failure to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the murder of Michael Brown. Activists decorated a nearby park Christmas tree with posters in support of victims of police violence. Red Arrow Park is the site of the killing of African American youth Dontre Hamilton by a Milwaukee Police Officer earlier this year.

Organizers, including the mother of Dontre Hamilton, spoke to the media and supporters about the need to have justice for all the victims of police violence.

A larger demonstration is planned for Nov. 25, also at Red Arrow Park, at 5:00 p.m. to protest the failure to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. All are encouraged to attend.

#MilwaukeeWI #PoliceBrutality #MichaelBrown #Ferguson #DarrenWilson

Chicago, IL – Over 200 people gathered in front of Chicago Police headquarters, Nov. 24, awaiting the verdict from the grand jury in the Michael Brown murder case. Frank Chapman, an organizer with the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, who spent some 14 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, addressed the crowd.

Chapman called upon fellow protesters to, “build a militant mass movement against police crimes.” The Alliance is currently building such mass movement for a Civilian Police Accountability Council in Chicago. The crowd was made up of mostly youth who echoed the call for ongoing protest until justice for Mike Brown has been won.

#ChicagoIL #PoliceBrutality #Ferguson #MikeBrown #DarrenWilson

On Nov. 24, a Ferguson grand jury decision cleared police officer Darren Wilson of the murder of Michael Brown. Michael Brown was an 18-year-old African American youth shot and killed by the white police officer as he walked to his grandmother’s house in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9. Witnesses stated that Brown, who was unarmed, had his hands up in the air when officer Darren Wilson shot and killed him. With blatant disrespect to Michael Brown, his family and the neighborhood, the police left his body lying in the middle of the street for hours after the police killing.

For the people of Ferguson, a mainly African American suburb of Saint Louis, enough was enough. Residents were fed up with their all white city government and almost all white police force. The next evening, a rebellion broke out that lasted more than a week. Despite the police showing their true face as a military occupation force complete with armored personnel carriers, the people of Ferguson, joined by neighbors in and around Saint Louis and supporters across the country, kept protesting night after night.

The Saint Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch is known to have close ties with the police and he refused to arrest Officer Darren Wilson for the murder of Brown. However, the government did assemble a grand jury to ‘investigate’ the killing. The government’s plan from the beginning was that the grand jury would cool out protests with the hope of an indictment. This hope is now shown for what it was: a false dream. Now people are even angrier.

The ‘justice system’ of police, courts and prisons in the U.S. is in fact an ‘injustice system’ designed to suppress African Americans to the benefit of the rich and powerful. We must be clear. Having African Americans at the top of the government, including the president and the attorney general, does not change the nature of the injustice system. The law, the police, the courts and the prisons are there to maintain the political power and economic privileges of the monopoly capitalists – the billionaires who are the ruling 1%. The police are the front-line enforcers of this all around political, economic, legal, cultural and social inequality of African Americans and other oppressed nationalities (Chicanos, Mexicanos, other Latinos, Asians, Arabs and indigenous peoples) in the U.S.. Every time an African American person is killed and the police or a racist vigilante gets away with murder, we must organize and protest to put an end to the officially sanctioned state violence and murder.

What will it take to win Justice for Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and all the other African Americans who are the latest victims of police and racist vigilante violence?

Our experience is that the struggle for justice and for full equality does not mainly come from elections or from the courts. What can push forward the struggle for justice is the militant mass movement based in the working class, using militant tactics that are effective and teach people to understand their own power. We can demonstrate our power through masses of people taking to the streets, combined with occupations and civil disobedience, or even strikes and work slowdowns, or possibly direct action and confrontations with the uniformed killers like we saw in Ferguson in August. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon certainly understands the impact of people protesting for fundamental social change, that is why he called out the Missouri National Guard.

The Freedom Road Social Organization fully supports the struggle of the people of Ferguson to get justice for Michael Brown, as well the fight of Black and Brown communities across the country to put a stop to killer cops and racist vigilantes. The struggle for justice and equality will continue in the streets, and activists in the community, workplace and campus must continue to organize the working masses for political power. The struggle against police brutality and racist vigilantes is a key part of the Black Liberation Movement that will inspire others fighting for freedom including the Asian American, Chicano, Mexican, Latino, Native American and other indigenous people, as well as women and LGBTQ people.

As the oppression of African Americans is rooted in the slave system that was one of the foundations of capitalism the U.S., only the replacement of capitalism with socialism can lay the basis for full equality for African Americans. As Mao Zedong stated after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, “The struggle of the Black people in the U.S. for emancipation is a component part of the general struggle of all the people of the world against U.S. imperialism, a component part of the contemporary world revolution.”

Stop Police Terror! Jail the Killer Cop! Justice for Michael Brown!

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#UnitedStates #MO #OppressedNationalities #FreedomRoadSocialistOrganization #Racism #grandJury #InjusticeSystem #MichaelBrown #JusticeForMichaelBrown #DarrenWilson