On the march to #occupySLU protesters were met by police in riot gear

Journalist and livestreamer, Jason Bassler, teamed up with Cassandra Fairbanks and covered several nights of the unrest and protests in Ferguson, MO after Police killed local community member, Mike Brown. In October 2014, the Ferguson Action movement organized a four-day event, called the Weekend of Resistance in which more than 1000 protestors from across the United States marched in downtown St. Louis. During the event another black man, 18 year old Vonderrit Myers, was shot and killed by police spurring new protests in various parts of city with the initial protest splintering in several directions. During the 4 nights of coverage Jason and Cassandra were both pepper sprayed, kettled and had to run from police several times. We even followed protesters into a hotel casino documenting them disrupt the casino's casual flow.

The actions ultimately didn't result in a charge for Darren Wilson, the officer who killed Mike Brown but it was a turning point in the nation's history when urban America finally said enough is enough police violence. As a journalist it was a powerful experience and gave me an opportunity to meet and work along some of my favorite journalists and livestreamers like Carlos Miller, Tim Pool and Luke Rudkowski while teaching me many useful and important lessons being in the field behind a camera.

Vonderrit Myers: https://thefreethoughtproject.com/st-...

Protests at Walmart: https://thefreethoughtproject.com/jus...

Our coverage of the protests (agg): https://thefreethoughtproject.com/jus...

Our coverage of 3rd man shot& killed during protests: https://thefreethoughtproject.com/tee...

Learn More about the weekend of resistance (Huff Post): https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fergus...