A list of demands has been made by the youth of Ferguson who protested the recent shooting of Michael Brown, Jr. If their demands are not met, they will organize a nation-wide “Walk Out” from classes by college students on Monday.
The group doesn’t have a name just yet, but include members of the Organization for Black Struggle and Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment.
Other groups are converging on Ferguson (video):
According to the report by St. Louis Public Radio:
Taurean Russell of St. Louis said this is the first time the group has issued an official statement.
“We are the core, and we’re mostly youth. We have demands, counter demands. Actions if demands are not met,” Russell said.
The list includes:
- A swift and impartial investigation by the Department of Justice into the Mike Brown shooting, and expanded DOJ investigation into civil rights violations across North St. Louis County.
- The immediate arrest of Officer Darren Wilson
- County prosecutor Bob McCulloch to stand down and allow special prosecutor to be appointed.
- The firing of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson.
- Accountability for police practices and policies, including effective civilian review of shootings and allegations of misconduct.
- The immediate de-escalation of militarized policing of protestors to protect constitutional rights.
- The immediate release of individuals who have been arrested while attending a protest.
If demands are not met, Russell said his group would continue to protest. If Officer Wilson is not indicted, Russell says protestors will turn to boycotts and other walk outs.
“We have nothing but time on our hands,” Russell said. “We’re not going to stop until we get justice, not only for Mike Brown. For everybody, until the whole system understands that we’re people, and everyone needs equality.”
Russell is right. Black teens have time on their hands, because black leaders don’t have jobs for them. But don’t hold your breath waiting on black teens to blame black leaders for their plight. Even after these young blacks graduate, there will be nothing waiting for them…except cops.
And what will these black teens boycott and walkout of? Let’s take this to its logical end.
These teens have little money, so are they planning to not loot? Further, there are no businesses in their neighborhoods to boycott.
The walkout could work, however. If they leave college and get good educations, they may still have a chance.
I applaud these teens for getting involved, I just wish it was for the right reason. Their list is “talking points,” and again only looks at one side of the story. Most of these kids have had run-ins with police, and have no reason not to trust cops, except what they have been told.
