It's Been One Year Since Michael Brown Was Killed

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Ferguson, Missouri, this weekend to remember the one year anniversary of Michael Brown's death. The 18-year-old was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9, 2014, sparking widespread protests throughout Ferguson and the rest of the nation. A grand jury declined to charge Wilson for Brown's death. A year later, Brown’s friends and family were joined by Black Lives Matter protesters in celebrating Brown’s life and remembering him and others who were killed by police.

Starting on Friday night, demonstrators marched through Ferguson, carrying banners with Brown’s face on them. On Saturday, they met once again at Canfield Drive, where Brown was shot. Michael Brown, Sr. then led protesters on a five-mile peaceful parade that included music, marching bands, and more.

"At the end of the day, I still lost my boy," Brown, Sr. told Al Jazeera. "I'm still hurting, my family’s still hurting."

The main event of the weekend was held on Sunday, as activists once again returned to Canfield Drive for four and a half minutes of silence in memory to the four and half hours that Brown’s body was left, uncovered, on Canfield Drive. After the moment of service, the demonstrators then processed to a nearby church for a service in Brown’s honor.

Other events were staged in Brown’s memory across the nation, such as a protest held outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. That march, held by Black Lives Matter activists, featured a four and a half minute "die in" on the street, as well as a march.