HANDS UP, DON'T SHOOT.

One of the most current news stories around the world today is that of the events in Ferguson, Missouri. I feel that it's not exactly getting the coverage it deserves over here in the UK and I would personally barely know anything about what's going on if I wasn't so prominent on social media. This issue is also extremely relevant for this week's protest work as the fatal shooting of Michael Brown has sparked protests and movements across not only the USA but across the world. Many believed the shooting was due racial discrimination and so thousands of protesters took to the streets of Ferguson back in August protesting the lack of action taken over a white police officer, Darren Wilson, shooting and killing an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown. The first wave of protests lasted from the 9th of August, the day of the shooting, up until the 25th. The protests initially began peaceful, however, after the destruction of a makeshift memorial for Brown - some became unruly and begin to act destructively, causing the police began to use excessive force and aggression against the protesters (even against those peacefully and legally protesting). Last week, Wilson was incited by a grand jury as not guilty for any crimes related to the whole situation. This sparked the second wave of protests that are currently on going - however, these branched out from Ferguson and across the world.

The protesters use the typical aspect of chanting; "HANDS UP, DON'T SHOOT!" was and is chanted throughout both waves of protests, referencing to Brown being shot with his hands up and unarmed. Many have also taken to carrying out the typical use of placards and signs, in this situation they often display different statements about racial division - predominantly; BLACK LIVES MATTER.

The impact of the original protests and the story itself had been astonishing, thousands of people around the globe having been protesting in solidarity with the people of Ferguson, a protest in London took place last Wednesday night. This is just a prime example of how important protests can be when used effectively - although the issue may have been overshadowed by the violence, the people of Ferguson's voices were heard by those continents away. Now thousands are demanding that Michael Brown gets the justice he deserves as well as the racial issues in the American justice system to be addressed.