Wait until the sun comes down.
Hundreds of people gathered Saturday morning for a march in Ferguson to demand justice for Michael Brown, the unarmed man shot by a police officer Aug. 9.
The marchers gathered at 10 a.m. on the parking lot of Red’s B-B-Q on West Florissant Avenue, not far from the place on Canfield Drive where Brown was shot. The rapidly growing crowd then marched down Canfield toward the shooting scene, where organizers spoke and ministers prayed as the chanting crowd grew quiet.
Later, as rain began to pour, the group headed to the city’s Forestwood Park. Some broke out umbrellas but others just trudged on in the hard rain.
At the park, Brown family members and organizers of the rally spoke. The group planned to march to the Ferguson Police Department later.
Maxine Davis, 28, a Washington University student who is studying social work, graduated from Normandy High School in 2004 and was there to march Saturday with a friend.
“I’m a black Ph.D. student and I fear police brutality on me,” she said. She has participated in several protests. She said she came Saturday to stand in solidarity with the Michael Brown family.
“We need people to have discussions with children about what systematic oppression is,” she said.
Capt. Ronald S. Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol said authorities closed West Florissant Avenue between Canfield Drive and Ferguson Road for the march.