Exactly one month after Michael Brown was killed by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson, Ferguson city council held its first public session since Brown was tragically killed.
The meeting was moved to Greater Grace Church to accommodate the large crowd and attendees were required to walk through metal detectors at entrances guarded by a heavy police presence.
The process of doing so seemed to irritate an already tense tone.
Several demonstrators stood up and shouted. Others chanted, “Shut it down!” while raising their hands in the air.
Anger and rage was the constant expression as people took the microphone to speak on their traumatic experiences in dealing with Michael Brown’s death and the aftermath that ensued. They spoke of feeling targeted by police themselves while attempting to peacefully protest and were quick to address feelings of negligence from the civic leaders of Ferguson in the wake of the unrest and tension.
“You’ve lost your authority to govern this community,” said St. Louis activist John Chasnoff. “You’re going to have to step aside peacefully if this community is going to heal.”
The Ferguson City Council announced a set of proposals this week that include reducing the revenue from court fines used for general city operations and reforming court procedures. The city also plans to establish a citizens’ review board to help guide the police department.