Students around the country staged a #HandsUpWalkOut on the day Michael Brown was laid to rest. Brown would have started his freshman year at a local trade college on Aug 9 had he not been shot six times by police officer Darren Wilson. Brown was autopsied thrice before his funeral.
Activists from Freedom Side, Dream Defenders, and Hands Up United coordinated the event to show solidarity with the Brown family and others slain by police. According to a #HandsUpWalkOut action toolkit available on HandsUpUnited.org, the walkouts are not protests or rallies, but “an event to mourn the loss of community members.” Organizers supplied a list of suggested post-walkout activities, such as reading names of the deceased, asking participants to voice their feelings and inquire about the emotional well-being of fellow students, and singing of “freedom songs.”
WashU students stand in support of #JusticeForMikeBrown #HandsUpWalkOut #HandsUpDontShoot pic.twitter.com/eFZaczNQib — OBS-STL (@OBS_StL) August 25, 2014
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