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Official leading shooting probe pledges solidarity with Ferguson community
FERGUSON, Missouri – The state highway patrol official now leading the investigation into the shooting death of Michael Brown pledged solidarity with the local community Sunday at a rally honoring the slain teenager.
“This is my neighborhood. You are my family. You are my friends. And I am you,” Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson said to loud applause from the large group gathered at the Greater Grace Church here.
Johnson, who is African-American, sought to temper the unrest that has occasionally spun into violence since August 9 when Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot multiple times and killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Wilson has been placed on administrative leave.
"This is my neighborhood. You are my family. You are my friends. And I am you," Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson said to loud applause from the large group gathered at the Greater Grace Church.http://on.msnbc.com/1sNPKeA
Johnson and the state highway patrol took over the investigation into the incident after critics and community members questioned whether the Ferguson police could adequately manage the probe.
“When this is over – I’m gonna go to my son’s room, my black son, who wears his pants sagging, who wears his hat cocked to the side, who’s got tattoos on his arms … But that’s my baby,” Johnson said to cheers from the crowd.
Sunday’s rally, organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s advocacy group National Action Network, filled the church and spilled out into the parking lot. Other civil rights leaders including the Rev. Martin Luther King III, who said “today and forever people will be talking about Michael Brown,” also attended.
Benjamin Crump, the attorney representing the Brown family, appeared onstage as well, flanked by members of the National Bar Association and eventually, Michael Brown’s parents Lesley Brown and Michael Brown, Sr.
“Your community deserves transparency,” said Crump. “There is nothing that can justify the execution style murder of Lesley’s child in broad daylight by this police officer.”
Crump touched on a recurring theme throughout the event – that authorities in Ferguson and certain segments of the mainstream media were part of a concerted effort to “smear” the character of the late teen.
“They tried it with Trayvon [Martin], now they trying to do it with Michael,” said Crump.
Ty Pruitt, a cousin of Michael Brown, greeted the crowd with the now familiar “Hands up, don’t shoot” refrain, popular with Ferguson protesters. “[Michael] was a son. He was an uncle, a nephew. He was Official leading shooting probe pledges solidarity with Ferguson community | MSNBC:
