The Ferguson Verdict: Tracing the Movement Against Racism

Abstract

**Please note that the full text is embargoed** ABSTRACT: In our recently published EPW commentary titled “Race in Contemporary America”, we provided a historical context for the events that took place in August in Ferguson, Missouri, the United States (US), after Michael Brown Jr, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. In this commentary, the perspective shifts from the past to the present. We look at the aftermath of the grand jury’s verdict that decided not to indict the officer. The decision was one that few believed–but many hoped–would not come. We attempt once again to provide context for the events that have taken place over the past few days. We also present the legal process that was used for this case and describe the community’s effort in organising itself, in anticipation of the grand jury’s verdict. We also reflect on the state’s reaction to this growing movement, and the response of the community after the verdict. [This is a publisher's version/PDF of an article published in Journal of Economic and Political Weekly (https://www.epw.in/about-us.html), Vol.49 Issue No 47., on November 22, 2014, available online: https://www.epw.in/journal/2014/47/web-exclusives/ferguson-verdict.html. Obtain permission from the publisher to make it OA.]