Killer Mike has penned an open letter in response to the killing of unarmed St. Louis teen Michael Brown, who was gunned down by police in Ferguson, MO this past weekend after what has been described by law enforcement officials and reporters as a struggle for an officer's gun. Enraged by the killing, the department's refusal to disclose the identity of the offending officer and their failure to interview witnesses, the town of Ferguson has since erupted as citizens continue to protest and clash with local police. Killer Mike's response to the unrest is a heartfelt plea for humanity that urges people to see past class, race and culture in order to stand with the family of Michael Brown as they seek justice in the shooting death of their son:
We are human beings. We deserve to be buried by out children not the other way around. No matter how u felt about black people look at this Mother and look at this father and tell me as a human being how u cannot feel empathy for them. How can u not feel sympathy for their pain and loos. These are not “THOTS, niggas/niggers, hoes, Ballers, Divas. These two people are parents. They are humans that produced a child and loved that child and that child was slaughtered like Game and left face down as public spectacle while his blood drained down the street. Look at the pain of this mother, look into her eyes. Look at the Man behind her. Look at that father made helpless and hurt that he cud not defend his seed. Don’t debate. Don’t insert your agenda. Save me the bullshit Black On Black Crime speech and look at these to Noble creatures called humans and look at what govt sanctioned murder has done. It has robbed them of their humanity and replaced it with pain and shame, suffering and hurt. I don’t care if others rioted or why. I don’t care that ball players and Rappers are what they shud be. I care that we as humans care as much about one another more. I care we see past Class, race and culture and honor the humanity that unites our species. Stop talking and LOOK at these PEOPLE. LOOK at these HUMANS and stand with them against a system allows a Human PIG to slaughter their child. Forgive any typos love and respect u all.
Killer Mike's urgent letter arrives as the FBI launches an inquiry into the case. Local businesses have been left damaged and smoldering by angry mobs acting in direct opposition to the pleas of Brown's parents, Michael Brown Sr. and Leslie McSpadden, who have asked the community to refrain from violence. NAACP President Cornell William Brooks also condemned the violence, urging residents to turn their "anger into action":
“To sneak around under the cover of darkness, to steal, to loot, to burn down your neighborhood — this does not require courage,” he said. “Courage is when you strive for justice.”
Riot police have lined the streets of Ferguson, Missouri and met the rage of peaceful protesters with harsh taunts, threats, tear gas and rubber bullets. Though the Ferguson Police Department had announced plans to release the shooter's name today, the decision was rescinded after they reportedly received death threats directed at the officer who shot Brown. Police Chief Tom Jackson commented on the decision:
“If we come out and say ‘it was this officer,’ then he immediately becomes a target,” Chief Tom Jackson said. “We’re taking the threats seriously.
Democracy Now! summarizes the tragic killing and the events of the past few days in a recent report, which includes interview commentary from Brooks. The report also features audio from the press conference held by the legal team representing Brown's family, lead by attorney Benjamin Crump. Take a look at the text above to read the full letter from Killer Mike. Listen to the report below to get the latest from Democracy Now! Follow the #IfTheyGunnedMeDown hashtag to keep up with the story via social media. Stay tuned for more as details unfold.
