WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- From New York to Tokyo and across the United States, thousands of protestors continue to take to the streets, fueled by anger over what they say is rampant police brutality against black men.
The waves of angry protests, some planned on social media on short notice, have been raging on since a Ferguson, Mo., grand jury decided not to indict a white police officer in the August shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was black. Nine days later, protests spread to New York, when a grand jury there declined to indict a white police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner, who was black.
At the same time, activists are on edge as a Brooklyn, New York district attorney announced he will ask a grand jury to look into the death of Akai Gurley, an unarmed black man who was shot by rookie officer in a housing project last month.
More protests are planned for Saturday night.
Vocal marchers blocked traffic in New York City, Washington and Boston. In Miami, protestors shut down Interstate-95 and disrupted the international art show Art Basel. Protestors also staged a "die in" in an Apple store and Macy's in New York City.
Protesters disrupt Art Basel and shut down highway over police abuse http://t.co/GNTsemFC5E #Ferguson2Miami pic.twitter.com/fE7h8Mr2BA
— Occupy Miami (@OccupyMIA) December 6, 2014While many of the protests continue to be generally peaceful, 20 people in New York City were arrested for disorderly conduct and blocking traffic on Friday night after the third night of protests.
Activists passed out a list of demands, which included all officers involved be fired and a special prosecutor be assigned to investigate the excessive force complaints.
Protesters handed out these demands tonight. #BlackLivesMatter #EricGarner pic.twitter.com/lMT9xdCQB2
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) December 6, 2014In Tokyo, protestors carried photos of Brown and signs reading "America, the world is watching" and "Tokyo stands with Ferguson."
America, The World Is Watching. #TOKYO4FERGUSON #WeCantBreathe #EnoughIsEnough #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/RAFc0LZhfD
— Nayalan Moodley (@DarcNoodles) December 6, 2014Protests are planned for states including Pennsylvania, Texas and Minnesota in the coming days, according to Ferguson National Response Network.
