Cyrus Langhorne
A week after the controversial shooting of teenager Mike Brown, photos of the police officer responsible for taking his life have surfaced online.
Facebook photos of 28-year-old officer Darren Wilson hit the Internet this weekend.
NBC News has verified that a photo first shown on Yahoo News is indeed of the Ferguson, Mo., police officer who fatally shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown, touching off a week of angry protests that have at times turned violent. The photo, obtained from Facebook, is from Wilson’s father’s page, posted on February 11 after an award ceremony where the officer earned a commendation for his “extraordinary effort in the line of duty,” Yahoo reported. (NBC News)
Although upset by Brown’s controversial death, rap star Nelly recently said Missouri residents should realize resorting to violence is not the best move.
Nelly tells TMZ … “I understand the frustration, but we have to strategize before we overreact … We don’t get no do-over on sh*t like this, so we have to do it right the first time.” The rapper adds, “Ain’t nothing happen no different that hasn’t been happening … At the end of the day, we should have waited to strategize first and take all the right steps to organize.” (TMZ)
Heading into the weekend, Roc Nation’s J. Cole directly addressed Brown’s death with the release of a new tribute song.
In the wake of the police shooting that left African-American teenager Michael Brown dead, J. Cole responds by penning a powerful and emotional plea. Over a bare bones beat, the Roc Nation MC cries out for freedom and justice. “All we wanna do is take the chains off / All we wanna do is be free,” sings a grief-stricken Cole. “Rest in Peace to Michael Brown and to every young black man murdered in America, whether by the hands of white or black,” said Cole. “I pray that one day the world will be filled with peace and rid of injustice. Only then will we all Be Free.” (Rap-Up)
Along with performing with a Mike Brown shirt, rap star Jeezy has relied on social media to to speak out on the teen’s death.
“It’s a shame in today’s Society we have to protect our loved ones from those who are sworn to protect us. We have to stand strong together and let our voices be heard across the nation. We will not tolerate innocent children being slain. Michael Brown may you rest with the Angels!!! #saveourchildren #St.Louisstandup,” Jeezy captioned to a photo of Mike Brown.
“St.Louis was Luv!! #justiceformichaelbrown #saveourchildren”
“I had to see it for myself!! The answer is not tearing down our own neighborhoods and communities, the answer is goin to the source of the problem in numbers. So many numbers that they know they don’t have a chance. We want justice not chaos!! #ferguson #st.louis #saveourchildren #justiceformichaelbrown,” Jeezy captioned August 13. (Jeezy’s Instagram)
