Why Ferguson is your town

Eric Liu
4 minute read
Updated 4:24 PM EDT, Thu August 14, 2014
Protesters march in Ferguson, Missouri, on Thursday, August 21 2014. The St. Louis suburb saw turmoil after a white police officer, Darren Wilson, fatally shot an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown, on August 9, 2014. Some protesters and law enforcement officers clashed in the streets, leading to injuries and arrests.
Protesters march in Ferguson, Missouri, on Thursday, August 21 2014. The St. Louis suburb saw turmoil after a white police officer, Darren Wilson, fatally shot an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown, on August 9, 2014. Some protesters and law enforcement officers clashed in the streets, leading to injuries and arrests.
Jeff Roberson/AP
A crowd gathers in Ferguson on August 21, 2014. With the situation appearing to calm, Gov. Jay Nixon ordered the Missouri National Guard to begin withdrawing from the city.
A crowd gathers in Ferguson on August 21, 2014. With the situation appearing to calm, Gov. Jay Nixon ordered the Missouri National Guard to begin withdrawing from the city.
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Police escort a Wilson supporter to a police vehicle, away from crowds protesting Brown's death on Wednesday, August 20, 2014. Police have said Brown and Wilson struggled over the officer's gun; some witnesses said Brown had his hands in the air when he was shot.
Police escort a Wilson supporter to a police vehicle, away from crowds protesting Brown's death on Wednesday, August 20, 2014. Police have said Brown and Wilson struggled over the officer's gun; some witnesses said Brown had his hands in the air when he was shot.
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Lightning streaks over protesters on August 20, 2014.
Lightning streaks over protesters on August 20, 2014.
Jeff Roberson/AP
Demonstrators protest on August 20, 2014.
Demonstrators protest on August 20, 2014.
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U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder meets with Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol at a Ferguson restaurant on August 20, 2014. Holder came to Missouri to talk to community leaders and review the federal civil rights investigation into Brown's shooting.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder meets with Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol at a Ferguson restaurant on August 20, 2014. Holder came to Missouri to talk to community leaders and review the federal civil rights investigation into Brown's shooting.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
Protesters march through the streets of Ferguson on August 20, 2014.
Protesters march through the streets of Ferguson on August 20, 2014.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Police point out a demonstrator who has his arms raised before moving in to arrest him Tuesday, August 19, 2014.
Police point out a demonstrator who has his arms raised before moving in to arrest him Tuesday, August 19, 2014.
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People watch from inside a restaurant as protesters rally August 19, 2014.
People watch from inside a restaurant as protesters rally August 19, 2014.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Police arrest a demonstrator on August 19, 2014.
Police arrest a demonstrator on August 19, 2014.
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Police charge into the media work area with weapons drawn as they try to control demonstrators on August 19, 2014.
Police charge into the media work area with weapons drawn as they try to control demonstrators on August 19, 2014.
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A protester speaks to a police officer on August 19, 2014.
A protester speaks to a police officer on August 19, 2014.
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People on August 19 stand near a memorial where Brown was shot and killed, 2014.
People on August 19 stand near a memorial where Brown was shot and killed, 2014.
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Protesters march on August 19, 2014.
Protesters march on August 19, 2014.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Police watch as protesters march August 19, 2014.
Police watch as protesters march August 19, 2014.
Charlie Riedel/AP
A demonstrator is arrested on August 19, 2014.
A demonstrator is arrested on August 19, 2014.
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Police try to control protesters on Monday, August 18, 2014.
Police try to control protesters on Monday, August 18, 2014.
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Police lead a man away during a protest August 18, 2014.
Police lead a man away during a protest August 18, 2014.
Charlie Riedel/AP
A demonstrator shouts during a protest on West Florissant Avenue, one of Ferguson's main streets, on August 18, 2014.
A demonstrator shouts during a protest on West Florissant Avenue, one of Ferguson's main streets, on August 18, 2014.
Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Images
Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol pulls his men back from aggressive protesters on August 18, 2014.
Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol pulls his men back from aggressive protesters on August 18, 2014.
J.B. Forbes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/MCT/LANDOV
Police arrest a demonstrator August 18, 2014, after peaceful protests gave way to angry confrontations with authorities.
Police arrest a demonstrator August 18, 2014, after peaceful protests gave way to angry confrontations with authorities.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Law enforcement officers stand guard during a protest on West Florissant Avenue on August 18, 2014.
Law enforcement officers stand guard during a protest on West Florissant Avenue on August 18, 2014.
Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Images
A woman helps a man affected by tear gas August 18, 2014. The situation overnight deteriorated after a handful of protesters threw rocks, bottles and Molotov cocktails at police. Officers responded by firing stun grenades and tear gas canisters.
A woman helps a man affected by tear gas August 18, 2014. The situation overnight deteriorated after a handful of protesters threw rocks, bottles and Molotov cocktails at police. Officers responded by firing stun grenades and tear gas canisters.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Officers stand with weapons drawn during a protest on West Florissant Avenue on August 18, 2014.
Officers stand with weapons drawn during a protest on West Florissant Avenue on August 18, 2014.
Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Images
Musician Nelly, center, joins demonstrators in Ferguson on August 18, 2014.
Musician Nelly, center, joins demonstrators in Ferguson on August 18, 2014.
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Demonstrators receive red roses as they protest August 18, 2014.
Demonstrators receive red roses as they protest August 18, 2014.
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Demonstrators march on August 18, 2014.
Demonstrators march on August 18, 2014.
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The Rev. Jesse Jackson shakes hands with a police officer as he visits Ferguson's demonstration area on August 18, 2014.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson shakes hands with a police officer as he visits Ferguson's demonstration area on August 18, 2014.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
A protester picks up a tear gas canister on Sunday, August 17, 2014.
A protester picks up a tear gas canister on Sunday, August 17, 2014.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Police wait to advance after using tear gas to disperse protesters August 17, 2014.
Police wait to advance after using tear gas to disperse protesters August 17, 2014.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Water gets poured into a woman's eyes after a tear gas attack by police on August 17, 2014.
Water gets poured into a woman's eyes after a tear gas attack by police on August 17, 2014.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
A man runs through clouds of tear gas on August 17, 2014.
A man runs through clouds of tear gas on August 17, 2014.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Protesters react as police fire tear gas at them August 17, 2014.
Protesters react as police fire tear gas at them August 17, 2014.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Police advance through a cloud of tear gas on August 17, 2014. Most of the crowd had dispersed after a curfew went into effect at midnight, St. Louis County authorities said.
Police advance through a cloud of tear gas on August 17, 2014. Most of the crowd had dispersed after a curfew went into effect at midnight, St. Louis County authorities said.
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People take cover from tear gas inside a McDonald's on August 17, 2014.
People take cover from tear gas inside a McDonald's on August 17, 2014.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
A large group of police officers advance toward protesters on August 17, 2014.
A large group of police officers advance toward protesters on August 17, 2014.
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A man fights the effects of tear gas in Ferguson on August 17, 2014.
A man fights the effects of tear gas in Ferguson on August 17, 2014.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Michael Brown Sr. and Lesley McSpadden, the parents of Michael Brown, attend a rally at Greater Grace Church in Ferguson on August 17, 2014.
Michael Brown Sr. and Lesley McSpadden, the parents of Michael Brown, attend a rally at Greater Grace Church in Ferguson on August 17, 2014.
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The Rev. Al Sharpton hugs McSpadden during the rally.
The Rev. Al Sharpton hugs McSpadden during the rally.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol speaks at the rally. He had been appointed by the governor to take control of security operations.
Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol speaks at the rally. He had been appointed by the governor to take control of security operations.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Demonstrators defy a curfew early on August 17, 2014.
Demonstrators defy a curfew early on August 17, 2014.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Police fire tear gas at demonstrators after curfew on August 17, 2014.
Police fire tear gas at demonstrators after curfew on August 17, 2014.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
A law enforcement officer aims his rifle August 17,, 2014, after tear gas was fired to disperse a crowd.
A law enforcement officer aims his rifle August 17,, 2014, after tear gas was fired to disperse a crowd.
Charlie Riedel?AP
Law enforcement officers check a building on August 17, 2014.
Law enforcement officers check a building on August 17, 2014.
Charlie Riedel/AP
People attend a protest after the midnight curfew on August 17, 2014.
People attend a protest after the midnight curfew on August 17, 2014.
Scott Olson/