On the Fairfax Campus, students participate in a “die-in” demonstration in solidarity with the people of Ferguson, Mo., joining protests across the country raising awareness of police conduct. Photo by Alexis Glenn

On December 1st 2014, students of George Mason University staged a peace protest known as a “die-in” on their Fairfax Campus in support of Michael Brown, the Ferguson teen who was maliciously shot by officer Darren Wilson earlier in the year. About 150 students took part of the protest put together by seniors Christina “Liz” Lee and Donna Smith. Held for 15 minutes, students lay on the ground to bring light and raise awareness about police conduct in America, specifically towards African Americans and people of color. Surprised by the output, Lee told Sudha Kamath an in-school journalist for GMU that “The turnout is absolutely amazing, we just put this together in 24 hours. Everyone was more than willing to participate. This situation is not just about Ferguson… or black and brown… this happens in Fairfax… D.C. …  Virginia… Maryland.” Seeing this event forehand, it was a confirmation that people from all walks of life could come together and stand for a common cause.

As the event ended I interviewed Brandy Asher, a female African American student who took part of the protest. We discussed the reasons; these types of protests are needed to bring light to the unjust treatment of African Americans by police officers throughout the country. Also giving her opinion on Michael Browns death and verdict, Brandy gave a great insight to what change can happen if everyone comes together to fight for a positive cause.

The video below shows a fraction of the fifteen minutes that George Mason Students took part of the peaceful protest known a “die-in”.

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While some protestors of Michael Brown’s death showed remorse for his death by protesting peacefully, others showed their concern by hitting the street with racially fueled anger leading to violence throughout the city of Ferguson. Upon this happening, a statement was released asking for several autopsies’ to be done to bring Brown justice stating:

"To the extraordinary circumstances involved in this case and at the request of the Brown family, Attorney General Holder has instructed Justice Department officials to arrange for an additional autopsy to be performed by a federal medical examiner,” Justice Department Spokesman Brian Fallon said in a statement released Sunday. “This independent examination will take place as soon as possible. Even after it is complete, Justice Department officials still plan to take the state-performed autopsy into account in the course of their investigation.”

As violence ensued, the state of Missouri instated a curfew to get people off the streets. With the use of smoke, tear gas and ‘non – lethal weapons’, police enforced this curfew with little regard for the people protesting peacefully among the violence. Chris Dwight a freelance photographer who attends George Mason University in Fairfax Virginia, told me about his brief stint in Ferguson overseeing the protesting taking place in the city. Dwight explained how rather than protesting, some citizens are vandalizing locally owned businesses further bringing despair to their own community. He went on to say that, he wouldn't call these people “protesters” but rioters using Michael Browns death as an excuse to cause violent uproars within their city. As our brief interview ended Dwight was avid about his support for the more peaceful protests, stating it was the only way to truly bring justice to Michael Brown and the people of Ferguson.

In the video below, Vice News an independent online based news stations shows the uproar of the people of Ferguson and the violence taking place in search of answers of too why Michael Brown was shot dead in their streets.

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