Resisting Racist Police Violence: An Oral History of the Ferguson Rebellion

How did local activists in Ferguson, MO mobilize resistance to racist policing? After police killed Michael Brown in 2014, confronted with military style weapons, tanks, gas, and dogs, Ferguson activists refused to be silenced. Their rebellion led to Federal Consent Decree over Ferguson, Black representation in police and government, election of Cori Bush to Congress, Tishaura Jones as St. Louis Mayor, and catalyzed national debates on race. Certainly macro-historical forces influenced these events. But people’s actions on the ground were essential. This is a study of the lived experiences of those who rebelled. It uncovers the perspectives and actions that transformed Ferguson and catalyzed the national movement against racist police violence. Informing scholars and public alike, this oral history complements technical studies of Ferguson – including my own – with insights about resisting racist police violence from those who gave birth to the movement. My main collaborator is Johnetta Elzie who the Washington Post’s Wesley Lowery called “the most prominent of the citizen journalists telling the story of Ferguson.” Key figures including Michael Brown Sr., Congresswoman Bush, and Mayor Jones have already agreed to participate. We expect participation of many others – from activists Tef Poe to Brittany Ferrell and Pastor Traci Blackmon