Hip Hop artists took to Twitter Monday (November 24) to react to a St. Louis County grand jury decision not to indict the Ferguson police officer who killed teenager Michael Brown in August.
“I’m heartbroken over the news of no indictment in Ferguson,” Pharrell says via Twitter. “Let’s all pray for peace.”
The grand jury was assembled to pour over all evidence in the shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old African-American student Michael Brown. Police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Brown yet the jury concluded that there was not evidence to formally bring Wilson to trial.
“I am so fucking angry…” Killer Mike says in a series of tweets. “ The Crowd is attacking ‘Police Cars.’ It’s the system the hate! Officers they cud be attacking YOU but they are not. #Think #DontShoot.”
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Wilson could have been indicted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, first-degree involuntary manslaughter or second-degree involuntary manslaughter. Mississippi artist Big K.R.I.T. says that there was no justice served today.
“Sending my prayers out to the family and friends of Mike Brown,” Big K.R.I.T. says in a tweet. “ Praying for all the people out there in Ferguson. No justice out here!!!”
Michael Brown’s parents, Lesly McSpadeden and Michael Brown, Sr. released a statement shortly after the grand jury verdict came through.
“We are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequence of his actions,” the parents said. “While we understand that many others share our pain, we ask that you channel your frustration in ways that will make a positive change. We need to work together to fix the system that allowed this to happen.”
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West Coast artist YG tweeted in support of the Brown family.
“WOW. WTF. Prayers go out 2 the brown family. SMH,” YG said.
After Brown’s death in August months of protest and civil unrest followed. News reports speculate that this verdict will only ramp up the reactions of the protestors. Killer Mike spoke to CNN to discuss what might happen in this scenario.
“If this police officer is not arrested what immediately may happen is some rioting,” Killer Mike says to CNN. “There will be tears and pain and agony and burning, and I hope it’s not that, but what really happens if this police officer isn’t arrested is all of our rights are continually thrown out of the window. I’m afraid for all Americans, I’m not just afraid for Black Americans today. “
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In August, J. Cole dropped “Be Free,” a tribute to the protestors in Ferguson. Listen to J. Cole and eight other Hip Hop tributes to Ferguson in this HipHopDX piece.
Pharrell’s, Killer Mike’s, Big K.R.I.T. and YG’s Tweets are as follows:
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