On August 9, Michael Brown allegedly stole $50 worth of cigars from a store in Ferguson, Missouri and in his escape he was fatally shot by police officer Darren Wilson. Recently, it was announced that Officer Wilson would not face charges. Brown was eighteen years old when he was killed. Brown was a black teenager, and Wilson was a white adult, which ignited a racism case that lingered in the news for six months.

Outrage erupted in Ferguson due to this crime being racially based. Protestors and rioters lined the streets demanding Officer Wilson be charged with murder. For six months the citizens protested, mostly peacefully. This crime made headlines all across America, so many more people started to feel uncomfortable with the situation. Protestors were no longer just in Ferguson and surrounding areas – they were spreading to major cities to make a bigger influence.

It was announced at night that Officer Wilson would not be arrested, thinking that people would not riot as much. That was a wrong theory. For days, people who supported Brown from the beginning became violent due to anger over the verdict. Brown’s stepfather made a public announcement on national television saying how he does not support the violence, but does hope this case will impact racism in a positive way in the future.