After weeks of anticipation, a St. Louis County grand jury did not indict police officer Darren Wilson in the August shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. Immediately following the announcement, Ferguson erupted into protests, with gunfire, flames, and looting punctuating the worst night the community has seen. In New York and Washington, peaceful protesters marked the grand jury decision by taking to the streets, expressing outrage and frustration in Union Square in Manhattan and outside the White House in D.C.
From the White House, President Obama urged peace, but acknowledged that Brown’s death had become a symbol for race relations across the nation. “We need to recognize that this is not just an issue for Ferguson. This is an issue for America,” the president said.
Across the country, Americans took to Twitter with the hashtag #PrayForFerguson to express dismay and prayers amid the protests. As of 9 a.m. ET, the hashtag received 35K tweets in the past day. Here are a few select responses, and below, you can watch a visualization of how one hashtag spread across the country.
#PrayForFerguson – here's the prayer as morning draws near in #Fergsuon let it bring hope and light #LetPeaceRiseInFerguson
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) November 25, 2014"When I see you again, I hope it's in a better world." Me too Frank Irving. Me too. #PrayForFerguson
— Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) November 25, 2014It's crazy in this day & age that our justice system continues to be unjust. #RIPMikeBrown #RIPTrayvonMartin #PrayForFerguson
— Christina Milian (@ChristinaMilian) November 25, 2014I'm very upset with the #FergusonDecision but violence and looting is not the answer. It solves nothing at all. #PrayForFerguson.
— Darnell Jefferson (@DjKidman31) November 25, 2014If you are hurting, know you are loved.
If you are proud, humbly love those hurting.
#PrayForFerguson #FergusonDecision
— Brad Bridges (@bradbridges) November 25, 2014'Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that'-MLK #PrayForFerguson
— Attack Poverty (@AttackPoverty) November 25, 2014Our protests must incite change, not violence, and we must begin the long process of healing. #PrayForFerguson, pray for the Brown family.
— Brenda Lawrence (@MayorLawrence) November 25, 2014Let's at least #PrayForFerguson. The innocent people who live there must be terrified for their lives.
— Gym Family (@GymFamily) November 25, 2014
Jane Timm