Ferguson Gathers to Say Farewell to Michael Brown

3 minute read

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St Louis on Monday for the funeral of slain Missouri teen Michael Brown.

Musicians, politicians, civil rights activists, and residents of the teenager’s hometown of Ferguson joined the family in mourning the African American 18-year-old, whose fatal shooting by a police officer on Aug. 9 exposed racial tensions within the suburb and sparked widespread demonstrations and several nights of violent protest.

“Michael Brown’s blood is crying from the ground…crying for justice,” said Michael’s uncle, Charles Ewing. “At such a time as this, God is shaking this nation.”

Though it was a somber occasion, the church sanctuary was often overrun with praise as family members and friends took to the podium to share memories of the young man they called “Mike Mike.” Brown would have been about a week into his freshman year of college on Monday.

“He said one day the world would know his name,” a family member said. “He did not know how his name would be remembered, but we are here today remembering the name of Michael Brown.”

Eulogizers calling on members of the community to channel their anger over the death of the teen in positive ways—through voting and peaceful assembly—and calling on the country to take a hard look at how law enforcement engages with black and minority communities.

“America, it’s time to deal with policing,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, who delivered a speech at the funeral. “We’re not anti-police. We respect police. But those police that are wrong need to be dealt with just like those in the community that are wrong need to be dealt with.”

Brown’s mother Lesley McSpadden, wearing a red sleeveless dress, sat just steps from her son’s closed casket which was surrounded by enlarged photos of the teenager. Throughout the service, mourners reached to console McSpadden, who was often overcome with emotion.

Brown’s funeral comes two weeks after the teen was shot by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in circumstances that are still unclear. The investigation into Brown’s death is still ongoing, though the federal government has stepped in to conduct a separate analysis of the events alongside local authorities.

Mourners Gather to Say Goodbye to Michael Brown

Michael Brown Funeral Ferguson
People wait in line to attend the funeral for Michael Brown at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Joshua Lott—Reuters
Michael Brown Funeral Ferguson
Guests raise their hands as they wait in line to enter the funeral of Michael Brown at the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Scott Olson—Getty Images
Attendees hold their hands up as some chant "Hands up don't shoot," while they wait in line to take part in the funeral services for 18-year-old Michael Brown at the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri
Attendees hold their hands up as some chant "Hands up don't shoot," while they wait in line to take part in the funeral services for 18-year-old Michael Brown at the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, on Aug. 25, 2014. Adrees Latif—Reuters
Members of the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (NBPP) stand guard in front of Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church ahead of  funeral services for 18-year-old Michael Brown in St. Louis, Missouri
Members of the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (NBPP) stand guard in front of the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Adrees Latif—Reuters
Michael Brown Funeral Ferguson
Lesley McSpadden (C) arrives for funeral of her son Michael Brown at the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Scott Olson—Getty Images
Michael Brown Funeral Ferguson
American film director Spike Lee takes a picture of a black St. Louis Cardinals baseball cap on top of Michael Brown's casket during his funeral inside the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Robert Cohen—Pool/EPA
Funeral Held For Teen Shot To Death By Police In Ferguson, MO
Michael Brown Sr. sits with a child on his lap during the funeral services for his son Michael Brown inside the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Robert Cohen—Pool/Getty Images
Funeral Held For Teen Shot To Death By Police In Ferguson, MO
People attend the funeral of Michael Brown inside the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Robert Cohen—Pool/Getty Images
Funeral Held For Teen Shot To Death By Police In Ferguson, MO
People raise their arms during the funeral of Michael Brown inside the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Richard Perry—Pool/Getty Images
Lesley McSpadden watches as the casket containing the body of her son Michael Brown lifted into a hearse after his funeral services at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church, St. Louis, Missouri
Lesley McSpadden (R, in red) watches as the casket containing the body of her son Michael Brown is lifted into a hearse after his funeral services at the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Adrees Latif—Reuters
Funeral Held For Teen Shot To Death By Police In Ferguson, MO
Pallbearers carry the casket of Michael Brown at St. Peter's Cemetery in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Joe Raedle—Getty Images
Funeral Held For Teen Shot To Death By Police In Ferguson, MO
Rev. Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson touch the casket during the funeral for Michael Brown at St. Peters Cemetery in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014.Richard Perry—Pool/Getty Images
US-CRIME-RACE-POLICE-SHOOTING-FUNERAL
Michael Brown Sr, yells out as his son's casket is lowered into the ground at St. Peter's Cemetery in St. Louis on Aug. 25, 2014. Richard Perry—Pool/Getty Images
Lesley McSpadden leaves the burial service for her son Michael Brown with a bouquet of flowers at St. Pete's Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri
Lesley McSpadden (C) leaves the burial service for her son Michael Brown with a bouquet of flowers at St. Peter's Cemetery in St. Louis, on Aug. 25, 2014. Joshua Lott—Reuters

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