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Ferguson Protestors Take Part in Walkouts Across Country

2 minute read

Demonstrators across the country walked out of jobs and classrooms on Monday to protest the police killings of Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Mo., and Tamir Rice in Cleveland this year.

Events were planned for more than 30 cities, Al Jazeera America reports. Dozens of events were scheduled to take place at university campuses on Monday, according to the Ferguson National Response Network’s Tumblr. The “Hands Up Walk Out” events were mostly planned to occur at 12:01 p.m. CT, the time when now-former Ferguson officer Darren Wilson shot Brown.

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The name of the even comes from witnesses who said Brown had his hands up when Wilson shot him, which has become a rallying cry at demonstrations over policing and racism.

Brown, 18, was unarmed when he was shot by police officer Darren Wilson during an August confrontation that sparked a number of protests. Last week, a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson, who has since resigned from his job (without receiving severance), which led to further protests across the country in more than 100 cities.

See the Nation #HandsUpWalkOut in Solidarity with Ferguson

Glenn Cooper, a photojournalist in Boston, writes "Ferguson walkout protest at Harvard U. #fergusonaction #ferguson #protest #michaelbrown #handsupwalkout"Glen Cooper (@glen.cooper) via Instagram
Heidi Knoblauch, a Yale historian, posted this picture saying, "I'm sure lots of other people took better pictures than this, but here is a glimpse of #HandsUpWalkout @Yale" http://t.co/76kUiy47SeHeidi Knoblauch (@heidiknoblauch) via Twitter
Jack Meriwether shared this image from Wheaton College in Illinois. #handsupwalkout #fergusonsolidarity #blacklivesmatter #justiceformikebrownJack Meriwether (@marryweather) via Instagram
Thera posted this image of protestors at Harvard University. Thera (@glamour_gap) via Instagram
Erin Castellano, Journalism Advisor at Clayton High School, shared this image of a "die-in" at Clayton High School, near St. Louis. Erin Castellano (@suchcas) via Twitter
Minku posted this image from Chicago, saying "About 30 people gathered at State & Jackson for start of #HandsUpWalkOut demo" #Chicago #Chi2Ferguson #Fergsuon http://t.co/FdnXtqZBOcMinku (@MinkuMedia) via Twitter
This picture was posted from Harvard University by Ladyofthelog. #handsupwalkout #cambridgeladyofthelog (@ladyofthelog) via Instagram
Jess Livoti-Morales shared this image from Washington, DC, saying, "#BlackLivesMatter and our struggle is #OneStruggle. #HandsUpWalkout" http://t.co/yB2Z8n8d9nJess Livoti-Morales (@JessLivMo) via Twitter
Charles Migos shared this image from Boston University #Ferguson #HandsUpWalkout #BU http://t.co/mJPlQsOAj1Charles Migos (@BenHurley_) via Twitter
Kyle A. Spencer photographs the Die-in for #MikeBrown at Harvard Law School #Ferguson #HandsUpWalkOut #HandsUpDontShoot #FergusonAction #photojournalismKyle A. Spencer (@kyleaspencer) via Instagram

Cleveland police shot 12-year-old Rice within seconds of arriving on the scene, according to police statements and surveillance footage released last Wednesday. Officers were responding to a call about “a guy” waving what appeared to be a gun on a playground. While the caller said the gun was “probably” fake, that information was not relayed to the responding officers.

Ferguson Action, an organization taking part in Monday’s events, said on its website that the death of Brooklyn man Akai Gurley, who was accidentally shot by police earlier this month, also inspired the walkouts.

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Organizers encouraged participants to document the walk-out on social media using the hashtag #HandsUpWalkout as well as #BlackLivesMatter, #Ferguson and #ShutItDown.

“We can no longer do what we have always done and cooperate with a system that does not respect Black Lives,” Ferguson Action said. “We will only get the change we want if we disrupt the daily order and insists that Black Lives Matter. If that means shutting down the entire country, that’s what we’ll do.”

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Write to Nolan Feeney at nolan.feeney@time.com