On Saturday, August 9, police in Ferguson, MO fatally shot Mike Brown, an unarmed 18 year-old who was walking to his grandmother’s house. The epidemic of police and vigilante violence against people of color, particularly black people, leaves a wake of pain and grief that we must deal with as a community.
This Thursday, August 14, 2014 at 7pm EST (4 pm PST), all across our country, communities will host National Moment of Silence (NMOS) vigils to pay respect to victims of police brutality, with a national moment of silence occurring at 20 minutes past the hour.
Amnesty International activists across the country are attending and organizing vigils to stand in solidarity with victims of police brutality.
There are two events currently being planned in the Seattle area.
• Mothers for Police Accountability is hosting a vigil at 4th & Pine in Downtown Seattle. They will engage in one hour of silent reflection starting at 4:20pm. (Main point of contact for this is Reverend Harriett G Walden.)
• Queen Anne Baptist Church (2011 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109) will host a gathering. (Pastor Jasen Frelot is the main point of contact for this event.)
These are vigils, not protests or rallies. There will be no speeches. We will have silence starting at 4:20pm.
What to bring: A red sash to wear on your right arm or wrist to identify yourself to your fellow participants, candles, signs expressing solidarity, photos of the slain.
What not to bring: Bullhorns, protest gear, signs that express hatred toward the police, etc.
Please use good judgement. This is a vigil, a community gathering to express our feelings. It is not an opportunity to start shit with the cops or incite a riot.
What to do now:
• Get the word out online and off.
• Let us know if you have special skills to lend.
