Marching For Justice In Ferguson, MO

FERGUSON, Missouri–Thousands filled the streets of Ferguson, MO, Aug. 16 to protest the police killing of African-American youth Michael Brown, Jr., Aug. 9 and the harsh police response to subsequent demonstrations. After a week of police using tear gas, flash grenades, and rubber bullets against angry community protests, today’s rally and march, which included supporters from around the country, was nonviolent but spirited.

The initial rally was held right at the site on Canfield Road where Mike Brown, Jr. was shot by Darren Wilson of the Ferguson Police Department.

Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke passionately at the rally, ending with the chant, “Hands up, don’t shoot!” referring to Mike Brown’s words and actions as he was being shot to death.

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#NMOS14: Solidarity From Coast To Coast

In response to the most recent murders of unarmed black men by police and the excessive show of force against the mourning community of Ferguson, MO, a national moment of silence was called for on Thursday, August 14. The call resonated from coast to coast as communities in 96 cities in 37 states plus the District of Columbia organized events.

The turnout at many of the events was large. In New York City, thousands of people filled Times Square and shut it down with an impromptu sit-in. Police initially kettled the marchers and started making arrests, then changed their tactic and began releasing people from the square.

Marchers everywhere held their hands in the air and chanted “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot!”

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Net Neutrality, Filtering And Ferguson

Ferguson is about many things, starting first with race and policing in America.

But it’s also about internet, net neutrality and algorithmic filtering.

It’s a clear example of why “saving the Internet”, as it often phrased, is not an abstract issue of concern only to nerds, Silicon Valley bosses, and few NGOs. It’s why “algorithmic filtering” is not a vague concern.

It’s a clear example why net neutrality is a human rights issue; a free speech issue; and an issue of the voiceless being heard, on their own terms.

I saw this play out in multiple countries — my home country of Turkey included — but last night, it became even more heartbreakingly apparent in the United States as well.

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