Why the shooting of Michael Brown has caused so much anger in the US indy100 indy100 Indy100 logoNewsletter sign upRegister/Sign inTop 100NewsViralPoliticsCelebritiesScience & TechVideoWishlistWishlistBooksFashion & BeautyFood & DrinkHome & GardenKidsSports & FitnessTechTravel & OutdoorsMoreScience & techVideoConversationsSportIdentitiesLifestyleShowbizTVSearchxNews

Why the shooting of Michael Brown has caused so much anger in the US

Evan BartlettAug 12, 2014

What happened

Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager, was shot multiple times by police in the town of Ferguson, Missouri on Saturday afternoon. The 18-year-old was said to be in the area visiting his grandmother. There are still conflicting reports as to what exactly happened - eyewitnesses claim the teenager was shot while trying to surrender while the police claim he assaulted an officer. Police confirmed the officer involved has been put on "paid administrative leave". Whatever the series of events were, Brown's death sparked a series of demonstrations and clashes between police and protesters have been ongoing since.

What has the reaction been

American media coverage of the story was criticised for its sensationalised portrayal of Brown - the hashtag #IfTheyGunnedMeDown was used on Twitter to highlight the way young black victims are demonised by some sections of the media. Shops were looted on Sunday and Monday as confrontations between police and protesters grew more violent - tear gas and wooden bullets were used by police in tactics that have been described as excessive by some. An estimated 40 people have been arrested as a result of the clashes.

What' s the context

Brown's death is one of the most high profile shootings of an unarmed black teenager since Trayvon Martin, 17, was shot by George Zimmerman, a neighbourhood watch officer in Florida in 2012 - Zimmerman was acquitted of murder charges. We're outraged because yet again a young African-American man has been killed by law enforcement.John Gaskin, from the St Louis branch of American civil rights group NAACPKeep reading...Show less

Chilling political ad shows what it' s like when abortion is illegal

Emma Thompson I cried when I heard Scottish school had won top prize

The tomb of ' Santa Claus' has been discovered in Turkey

Please log in or register to upvote this article

Top 100

Who won today' s PMQs Truss tells Starmer she' s ' a fighter not a quitter'

prime minister's questionspmqsliz trusskeir starmerprime minister's questions2h

Elon Musk reportedly thought that Grimes was not real

elon muskgrimescelebritiesspacexteslaelon musk6h

Just Stop Oil protester praised for ' great' explanation of soup stunt

just stop oilvan goghprotestclimate activistsjust stop oil6h

Man endures ' 29 hour flight' with screaming kids for the entire trip

flightplanechildflightOct 12, 2022

Lorraine Kelly hits out at Madonna' s ' boiled egg' face

madonnamadonnalorraine kellygmbshowbizplastic surgeryOct 11, 2022

Elon Musk is actually selling a ' Burnt Hair' fragrance

elon muskthe boring companyperfumeelon muskburnt hairOct 12, 2022

Couple spark debate for ' scandalous' wedding cake topper

wedding caketiktokwedding cakeviralOct 12, 2022

Love Island star shows extent of how far influencers edit photos

Love IslandLove IslandinfluencersshowbizOct 11, 2022

Jon Stewart slams Arkansas attorney general for her ' anti-trans law'

lgbt+Oct 11, 2022

Steven Seagal describes Putin as one of ' greatest world leaders'

steven seagalOct 10, 2022

Lizzo wears empowering shirt after being fat-shamed by Kanye West

lizzoOct 10, 2022

14 of the worst things the Tories did this week

liz trussOct 08, 2022

M People' s Mike Pickering was ' appalled' hearing Liz Truss used song

Liz TrussOct 06, 2022

Why Elon Musk once gave $1m to Mr Beast

mrbeastOct 05, 2022The Conversation (0)