Last night, news broke that the St. Louis County grand jury would not be indicting Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager. In response, protestors took to the streets in Ferguson, as well as cities across the country. The widespread outrage isn't just about Michael Brown, but about America's dangerous, institutionalized racism—and how black lives are devalued at the hands of law enforcement: black teenagers are 21 times more likely to be shot and killed by police than white teenagers.
As protests continued throughout today, those of us at our desks have been glued to our screens, watching the events unfold on social media. And while the words written about what's happening are moving and compelling, it's the images that are sticking with us the most. Ahead, six activists and journalists on the ground with Instagram accounts we're following.
Tef Poe, a rapper and activist from Saint Louis, Missouri:
An SF-based Getty Images photographer:
A multimedia journalist from Chicago:
A journalist:
An activist:
A SF-based Getty Images photographer:
Let us know who you think people should follow, too—and then consider donating to activist organizations like Help Or Hush that are helping break the news from the ground in Ferguson.