Micheal Brown Case

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on August 9 2014 Officer Darren Wilson happened upon Micheal Brown and his friend walking down the street. Within minutes Michael was found dead with a minimum of 7 gunshot wounds from the 12 which were fired. Officer Wilson claims he asked the men to move out from the middle of the road. The men ignored his request. The officer blocked their path with his vehicle, got into an altercation with the men before they attempted to run away. When this happened, Officer Wilson went after them. Officer Wilson claims he was body rushed by Mr. Brown and shot him, claiming self defense, before engaging in a hand to hand encounter. From here Mr. Brown broke free from the tussle and started running.

This was necessary in order to help bring Micheal Brown justice. After brutally murdering an 18 year old man over minor offenses, Mr. Wilson was acquitted of any charges of murder. The Bill of Rights had explicit rules and regulations about Americans right to a fair and speedy trial. Not only did Mr. Wilson, the police officer has this right, but Mr. Brown had this right as well, even after death- A right Mr. Brown was not able, in spirit, to exercise. The Amendment states “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district ” (Bill of Rights). People acted upon their right to protest in Ferguson because they believed Micheal Brown did not receive justice for his murder. The Bill of Rights uses the word impartial to describe the jury of any court hearing. Impartial is defined as treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just: independent and impartial advice according to the New Oxford American Dictionary of 2010. Many of the protestors from Ferguson felt the trial was anything but fair and just. Mr. Wilson was acquitted of murder after 1 investigation was done by the U.S Department of Justice. However after the uprise from the public and the protests prompted the Justice department to conduct a second investigation of the murder. The second investigation found significant that evidence of racial bias on behalf of the Ferguson

Not only did the protests promote further investigation of Micheal Browns death, but the courage of the protestors had a significant impact on the rest of the US. Media coverage last months and the debate between wrong and right continued long after the protests had ended. If you do nothing in response to governmental violence and unfair judicial justice, there will be no hope of improving the system. America is for the people, by the people and for this reason, the people themselves must voice their opinions. The responsibility citizens have to maintain a good society is heavily touched upon by Henry Thoreau in Civil Disobedience.“A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority” (Thoreau 6). Often times those who hold a minority opinion do not get positive feedback and Thoreau gives light to this notion. This notion that that revolting when you are unhappy with your government is often looked down upon. In these quotes, Thoreau brings light to the need for change. He isn't simply stating that the change would be good, or that everyone should attempt to make change if they think it's necessary. He is stating that change must happen in order to improve as a society- not just the city the change starts in. Thoreau is not the only societal figure who believes that the people must be the ones to enforce justice. Justin