In perhaps one of the most beautifully organized and powerful protests of recent memory, Ferguson activists organized a flashmob and went to St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Saturday evening to sing a Requiem for Michael Brown, the unarmed teenager murdered by Officer Darren Wilson.
Towards the end of the intermission, a protester stood up and began singing “Which Side are You on?”, a hauntingly perfect civil rights era song, adding “justice for Mike Brown is justice for us all.”
The protestors DID NOT interrupt any part of the symphony. The#RequiemforMikeBrown was during a break. This, organized struggle. #Ferguson
— deray mckesson (@deray) October 5, 2014
He was quickly joined in a beautiful harmony with other protesters scattered amongst the crowd.
As they sang, banners were dropped from the balcony, and paper hearts with the words “Requiem for Mike Brown May 20, 1996 – August 9, 2014″ were tossed from the balcony.
The protesters left peacefully, while chanting “black lives matter.”
Left by .@slso protesters (who incidentally had beautiful voices) after interrupting Brahms Requiem #Fergusonpic.twitter.com/eRrtCRkJjX
— stevegiegerich (@stevegiegerich) October 5, 2014
The demonstration received a mixed reaction from those in attendance, but drew applause from many, including those on the stage.
I was playing & this was amazing. Totally inspiring!http://t.co/gfqTkMvivI #ferguson
— Melissa (@1740testore) October 5, 2014
There were no arrests, and every one of the estimated 50 people involved had purchased tickets for the event.
The spokeswoman for the St. Louis Symphony, Erika Ebsworth-Goold told BuzzFeedthat the protesters had “lovely voices” and that she wished they would have stayed to see the end of the orchestra’s performance.
If protestors made you feel uncomfortable good. You should be. It's immoral to ignore the unjust suffering of others.#RequiemforMikeBrown
— zellie (@zellieimani) October 5, 2014
This uprising is getting stronger and more organized, while showing no signs of backing down.
As the two month anniversary of the murder approaches, a national call was put out for a whole weekend of demonstrations, marches, and civil disobedience.
*More details and events are coming soon.*
FRIDAY, Oct. 10 ; Justice Now – Justice for Mike Brown
3 pm Action in Clayton Directed at County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch
SATURDAY, Oct. 11 – Justice for Us All: Large Mobilization March
10 am Meet Downtown STL
Gather at Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark Ave, 63103
Permitted March to and Noon Rally at Old Court House
SUNDAY, Oct. 12 – HipHop and Hope, a day of Faith and Culture
1 pm Block Party (Location TBA)
7 pm Dr. Cornell West (Location TBA)
Direct Action Training (Time & Location TBA)
MONDAY, Oct. 13 – Moral Monday Day of Action:
Civil Disobedience & Major Demos
10 am West Florissant (Ferguson)
…with lots of activities in between these scheduled events.
For more information on attending the national call visit the Ferguson October website, follow the hashtag #FergusonOctober, and stay tuned here- as we will be on the ground reporting through out the week.
Text via The Free Thought Project.
Video by Rebecca Rivas Reporter/video editor St. Louis American newspaper.