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This Blog Post is a Continuation of a past post on August 11th, 2014 which was featured in USA Today
LINK to the past Blog Post is HERE: http://www.christianklee.com/blog/2014/8/11/ferguson-protest-blog
Tear gassed twice, Pepper Sprayed Once and still managed to see well enough to continue this project. I have been documenting the civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri since it all started in early August up until now without any riot gear or gas mask. Which I have paid for on several occasions.
The first time I was tear gassed as a bystander, I felt like a super hero, because even though I got hit with a good dose of gas, it took about a 7 second delay before I felt the full effect. This gave me enough time to snap off a few more images. I would later pay for it. I quickly became a victim as my eyes burned so bad that I could not see, and I also gagged as a result to being exposed. People helped me by washing chemicals from my face with liquids that they had brought with them. I was particularly surprised at how helpful the protestors were due to the violent image that they had often been portrayed in. Initially, I felt vulnerable hoping that I would not be robbed for my camera, however that was not the case and I was helped on several occasion by people from different racial backgrounds.
The level of violence rose dramatically from when I had documented it in early August. This was due to International media attention that drew out larger crowds.
I was initially scared to document this part of the story because I knew the unrest would be more violent, however I continued to document because I did not want to tell a uninformed story.
The problem with documenting a Breaking Story is finding the story. Protestors continually move from location to location, so I have discovered that in order to be a good journalist you must also be a great researcher. I had to continuously research the web to find exactly where the story would be in real time. One of the most memorable images I took was of a female protestor who was clearing the streets immediately after a police car was burned to the ground. That image was my favorite because it was iconic. In my opinion, this means that the image had an aesthetic quality that symbolized the complete story of the protestors in Ferguson, Mo.
The burning car in the background of that image symbolizes the violence of angry protestor and the protestor with her hands up symbolized the peacefulness of other protestors. Here is the image.
Shortly after a Grand Jury decides not to Indict Officer Darren Wilson, Protestors take to the streets leaving a Police squad burned to the ground on November 24th 2014. Here a protestor walk with their hands up as officers attempt to clear the streets.
Another of my favorite, is a photo that I took as the crowd grew. This image is powerful because of its Irony. The fact that a welcoming banner hung in good spirit reading "Season's Greetings" meanwhile the events taking place below it wasn't too welcoming. That image is here.
In expectation of a Grand Jury Announcement, Protestors fill the street in front of the Ferguson Police department on Monday November 24th 2014.
The rest of the images are featured Below.
Officers stand guard as they watch to ensure that citizens protest legally, once the fate of Officer Darren Wilson is announced on Monday November 24th 2014.
The Grand Jury decides that Darren Wilson will not be indicted for the unarmed death of Michael Brown. His Mother, Lesley McSpadden, bursts into tears as the verdict is announced on Monday November 24th 2014.
Hours of turmoils erupts in the city of Ferguson, Missouri after a grand jury decides not to indict Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown on Monday November 24th 2014. Angered protestors take to the street leaving nearly 10 businesses burned or damaged by fire and 61 people were arrested.
Shortly after the St. Louis County grand jury declines to indict Officer Darren Wilson, protesters take to the streets, leaving behind a burned police squad car on Monday, Nov. 24th 2014.
Protestors fill the street in front of the Ferguson Police department on Monday November 24th 2014 as they await the decision of the Grand Jury Announcement.
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