Protests held in 90 US cities after grand jury’s decision
Protests have broken out in 90 US cities over a grand jury’s decision on the death of Michael Brown
The United States has been shaken up by thousands of demonstrators who have taken to the streets in at least 90 cities across the country to protest a grand jury decision on the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown.
Following the decision, violent protests against racial discrimination and police brutality in the United States broke out across the country.
Traffic on three New York bridges were blocked as demonstrators walked on traffic lanes over the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Triboro bridges, the Daily Mail reported.
Protesters splattered fake blood on NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton in Times Square as people gathered to denounce the Ferguson grand jury's decision.
Thousands of people rallied late on Monday in cities including Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Salt Lake City, and in front of the White House in Washington, DC, to protest the grand jury's failure to punish police brutality and racial discrimination.
“Mike Brown is an emblem (of a movement). This country is at its boiling point,” said Ethan Jury, a protester in Philadelphia, where hundreds marched downtown with a contingent of police nearby. “How many people need to die? How many black people need to die?”
According to the Associated Press, most of the disruptive demonstrations were held in St. Louis and Oakland, California.
Demonstrators chanted the slogans “hands up, don’t shoot” and “black lives matter.” For weeks, activists had been waiting and planning to demonstrate if Wilson walked free.
During a press briefing on Monday night, President Barack Obama urged protesters to be calm and said these protests are “an understandable reaction.” He also acknowledged that the US is suffering from racial discrimination.
Shut down: A mass of demonstrators crossed from Manhattan to Brooklyn in the traffic lane, closing it to cars.
New York: Protesters fill Times Square during Monday night's march after the announcement of the grand jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.
Seattle: About 100 people gathered at Westlake Park as the Ferguson grand jury decision was announced then took to the streets in protest.
Washinton DC: Hundreds of demonstrators gather outside the White House after the Ferguson grand jury decision in Missouri.
Seattle: A protester reacts to being pepper sprayed by police after a group of demonstrators attempted to stop traffic on Interstate 5.
New York: NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton was splattered with fake blood by demonstrators in Times Square on Monday night as thousands converged there to denounce the Ferguson grand jury's decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in Michael Brown's death
Chicago: Protesters march during a rally near the Chicago Police headquarters after the grand jury's decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.
Boston: A man holds a sign reading 'Black Lives Matter' as demonstrators react to the grand jury decision in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, in front of the State House in Boston, Massachusetts.
Boston: A man holds a sign reading 'From Boston to Ferguson, cops are racist murderers' as demonstrators react to the grand jury decision.
San Francisco: A group of people raise their arms while chanting 'Hands Up, Don't Shoot' during Monday night's protests.
AN/GJH