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How Does Mike Brown Protest in Ferguson, MO Change From Day To Night?
More than a week after the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, protests continue in Ferguson, Missouri. On Wednesday, the grand jury tasked with deciding whether to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson convened, as Attorney General Eric Holder arrived in Ferguson. Holder spoke candidly about his own experience with the police as a black man.
"I can remember being stopped on the New Jersey turnpike on two occasions and accused of speeding," Holder said. "[Being] pulled over … 'Let me search your car' … Go through the trunk of my car, look under the seats and all this kind of stuff. I remember how humiliating that was and how angry I was and the impact it had on me."
Here in Ferguson, tensions are by turns high and low. You may have heard that the atmosphere in Ferguson, Missouri, feels completely different during the day than it does at night. Protesters standing up for Mike Brown and against police brutality encounter a largely celebratory atmosphere during the day — and potentially face tear gas and rubber bullets at night. The contrast is striking.
I've been taking photographs in Ferguson over the past week, and can attest that this is indeed the case. Here, check out photographs of the exact same spots in Ferguson — during the day and at night.
Images: Jim An
Day: Northwinds/Florissant intersection
With a small group of protesters in the background, this is usually a quiet intersection leading to residential neighborhoods in Ferguson.
Night: Northwinds/Florissant intersection
Deployments of tear gas can quickly change the scene.
Day: Carwash
Since blocking off the streets, police have often used this small car wash across the street from the burned-down QuikTrip as a parking spot.
Night: Carwash
A few nights ago, the same street was flush with protestors and traffic.
Day: Florissant Avenue
A tree-lined, residential area.
Night: Florissant Avenue
Filled with protesters, the same street is hardly recognizable.
Day: Protest area
The protests during the day are generally calm and peaceful. There is little street traffic since last weekend when police started enacting traffic checkpoints, blocking off traffic to this major Ferguson street.
Night: Protest area
Heavily armed police occupy the same space at night opposite protesters.
Day: Ferguson/Florissant intersection
Usually lightly policed, this intersection marks the southern boundary of the protests.
Night: Ferguson/Florissant intersection
At night, state troopers form a blockade of the intersection. Nights have often ended with a northbound march from this intersection of police to disperse protestors.
