Protesters Stage ‘Die-In’ In St. Louis, Briefly Shut Down Major Intersection

Today marks 100 days since unarmed black teenager Michael Brown was shot and killed by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, and a group of protesters marked the event by holding a “die-in” in St. Louis, Yahoo! News is reporting.

The protest involved about 150 protesters, who met near Washington University, where a film festival is taking place. Several protesters pretended to be police officers, according to The St. Louis American, yelling “Freeze!” at the protesters and pretending to shoot them while yelling “Get a job!” Others then laid down in the street, pretending to have been shot, as still others drew lines around them with chalk. The group then walked down the street, chanting “Indict! Convict!,” referring to the grand jury proceedings against officer Wilson.

“If we don’t get it, shut it down! If Mike don’t get it, shut it down!”

Activist Dhoruba Shakur acted as the unofficial leader of, and spokesperson for, the St. Louis protest.

“Police brutality is happening all over the nation right in front of our faces, and some of us have the privilege of continuing on everyday life as if this isn’t our reality. This action is a demonstration. This is our way of showing this is something we can’t avoid. [Addressing the crowds watching the protest]: It should be for you as well.”

The group then marched to another intersection and stood silent for four-and-a-half minutes, representing the four-and-a-half hours that Mike Brown’s body was allowed to lay in the middle of the street. University and St. Louis Police blocked traffic and did not interfere with the protest.

As a grand jury considers whether or not to indict Wilson for Brown’s shooting, Ferguson and several other cities are preparing for the worst. Cities from Los Angeles to Boston are planning for widespread riots if the grand jury chooses not to indict Wilson, according to this Inquisitr report.

For protester Rockit Ali, riots and violence are a reasonable response, according to Yahoo!.

“Rioting and looting are the tools of those without a voice. The rioting and looting, while I didn’t participate in it, was necessary. Without it we would not be standing here today. There is no revolution without violence.”

The grand jury considering whether or not to indict Wilson is expected to hand down a decision before the end of the month.

[Image courtesy of: St. Louis American]