Ferguson, Uncensored
The killing of unarmed 18-year-old Michael "Mike Mike" Brown — shot twice in the head by police officer Darren Wilson — has transformed Ferguson, Missouri, from a sleepy St. Louis suburb into a powder keg.
Citizens voicing righteous grievance about racial injustice and police violence have been met with a horrifying, militarized police response. Unarmed protestors decrying the death of an unarmed black teenager have been ordered to shut up and stand down by white police officers targeting them through the scopes of sniper rifles.
These police — unwilling to accept that they, themselves, are a legitimate target of protest — have barraged protestors with tear gas, rubber bullets, and sonic cannons, fired from war vehicles that have no justification on civilian streets.
In a vicious circle, legitimate protest of police violence has been met by violent police overreaction. This has, in turn, attracted criminal elements, provocateurs, and looters to the streets of Ferguson — sparking greater police escalation, and even leading Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to deploy the National Guard.
Police in Ferguson are not simply trampling the first amendment freedoms of protestors. They are also punishing journalists who seek to document the events on the ground. On Monday, Ferguson police arrested Getty Photographer Scott Olson for straying a few feet from a "media staging area" where police have attempted to corral journalists to prevent them from doing their jobs. "The police have made conscious decisions to restrict information and images coming from Ferguson," said David Boardman, president of the American Society of News Editors. Olson was later released without charge.
What is it that the don't the cops in Ferguson want you to see?
This photo essay of Olson's finest work from the past week, including last night after his release, captures the grit, hope, and horror of life on the restive streets of Ferguson.
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Murchison Tabernacle Church
Guests listen to speakers during at a town hall meeting hosted by the St. Louis County NAACP at Murchison Tabernacle Church to discuss the killing of 18-year-old Mike Brown on August 11th, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri.
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In Search of Justice
Demonstrators protest the killing of teenager Michael Brown on August 12th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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Flag of Protest
Demonstrators hold up a Pan-African flag to protest the killing of teenager Michael Brown on August 12th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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Lesley McSpadden
Lesley McSpadden, the mother of slain teenager Michael Brown, at Greater St. Marks Family Church on August 12th, 2014 in St Louis, Missouri.
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Turned Away
A demonstrator, protesting the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown, walks away after being ordered off the street by police on August 13th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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Armed Force
A police officer watching over demonstrators protesting the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown on August 13th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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Hands Up, Don’t Shoot
Police force protestors from the business district into nearby neighborhoods on August 11th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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No Tears
A child uses a rag to shield her face from tear gas being fired by police on August 11th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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The Congressman and the Captain
Congressman Lacy Clay (D-MO) and Capt. Ronald Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol speak to demonstrators on August 15th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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Smoke in the Streets
A demonstrator throws an explosive back at police after a brief clash on August 15th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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Sam’s Meat Market
Volunteers help the owners of Sam's Meat Market clean up after their business was looted on August 16th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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Under Attack
A woman gets help as she tries to recover from a tear gas attack by police on August 17th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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Masked
Police clamping down on demonstrators protesting the killing of teenager Michael Brown on August 18th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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Protected
A demonstrator protects himself from tear gas during a protest over the killing of teenager Michael Brown on August 18th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
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Under Arrest
Getty Images staff photographer Scott Olson is arrested by police as he covers the demonstration following the shooting death of Michael Brown on August 18th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.