SAY HIS NAME: #MikeBrown

SAY HIS NAME: Michael “Mike” Brown

Life: May 20, 1996 - August 9, 2014 (Age: 18)

Hometown: Florissant, Missouri

Leaves behind: Parents, Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr.

Location of Death: Ferguson, Missouri

Murderer: Ferguson Police Department Officer Darren Wilson

About Mike Brown:

At just 18 years old, Mike Brown was just about to start a new journey to manhood. He had just graduated from high school eight days prior to his death and he was just two days away from starting a technical college program to become an HVAC technician. He enjoyed making music in his free time and often uploaded his new music on SoundCloud.

Shortly before noon on August 9, 2014, Mike Brown got into an altercation local convenience store where he ended up shoving a store clerk into a shelf as he left the store with an unpurchased pack of cigarillos. After leaving the store, Mike and his friend were walking in the middle of the street when Officer Darren Wilson, who was passing by (unaware of the robbery), ordered the teens out of the street so his car could pass. Mike Brown reportedly replied “what are you gonna do?” to which Wilson pulled his car over and a quick physical altercation caused Wilson to fire his weapon, shooting Michael Brown six times including two shots to the head.

Witnesses said at the time of the shooting, Mike was unarmed and had his hands up which led to one of the leading phrases used during protests across the country: “Hands up, don’t shoot.”

No charges were ever filed against Officer Wilson but he did resign from his position that November. One of the best strides in making change happened when President Obama, in response to the death of Mike Brown, spent $75 million on body cams for officers across the country.

Today we honor Michael Brown’s life. Taken away from his family and his future all too soon at just 18 years old. Say his name and remember his story because NO LIVES MATTER UNTIL BLACK LIVES MATTER.

How Can You Help?

WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT MIKE BROWN ON STARZ: https://www.starz.com/us/en/movies/38510

SIGN MICHAEL’S MOTHER’S PETITION TO APPOINT A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE: https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/tell-da-mcculloch-reopen-the-local-investigation-of-mike-brown

SUPPORT MICHAEL BROWNS FAMILY: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/michael-brown-memorial-fund