Protestors at Ferguson on August 15.
Family, friends, and supporters of Michael Brown gathered on Monday at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church for his funeral service. The attendance was overwhelming; the entire sanctuary, which has a capacity of 2,500 was completely full, as well as other rooms which seated 2,000. People stood outside when the church could not seat any more people, despite the high temperatures, according to BBC.
Brown was killed by a police officer, Darren Wilson, in Ferguson. Reports say that although he was unarmed, Wilson shot him six times. His death led to outcries and protests of discrimination and injustice. Protests in Ferguson, which had also led to breakouts of riots and violence among protestors and police, had been ongoing until the day of the funeral, during which Brown’s family asked for a day of quiet and peace.
Eric Davis, one of Brown’s cousins, described Brown as “a big guy, but he was a kind, gentle soul, and before he left this Earth, the day that he was killed, he was out spreading the word of Jesus Christ.”
Davis also mentioned that Brown told his family that someday his name would be known all over the world.
“He did not know he was offering up a divine prophecy at that time. But here we are today remembering the name of Michael Brown,” he said.
Several speakers, including Davis, called for justice on behalf of Brown and that law enforcement must be better educated.
“Every time change has come, it’s come through the youth and the young generation,” explained Davis. “This generation is saying we have had enough of this senseless killing. We have had enough of this.”
Reverend Al Sharpton, who also spoke at the funeral, said that a national movement is needed to reform police enforcement education, and said that the U.S. government seems to have enough money to spend on militarized police vehicles, but not on educating the officials.
Attorney Benjamin Crump told the attendees of the funeral that he will continue to work for justice on behalf of Michael Brown.
He told them that he will “not accept three-fifths justice,” referring to the Three-Fifths Compromise, which actually was used against slaves. “We will demand equal justice for Mike Brown Jr.,” Crump added.
