A decade after the fatal shooting that ignited nationwide protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, Dorian Johnson, the key witness to Michael Brown's death, is speaking out in a powerful new interview.
Johnson, who was walking with 18-year-old Brown on that fateful day in August 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri, provides a chilling first-hand account of the confrontation with police officer Darren Wilson. His testimony remains central to understanding the events that led to Brown's death and the subsequent civil unrest.
The Fateful Encounter
According to Johnson's account, the altercation began when Officer Wilson confronted the pair for walking in the street. What started as a verbal exchange quickly escalated into a physical struggle at the officer's vehicle.
"He reached out the window with his left hand, grabbed my friend by his neck, and said, "Motherf*****, come here," Johnson recalled in the interview, describing the moment tensions exploded.
A Nation Divided
The shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown and the subsequent decision not to indict Officer Wilson divided America and sparked intense debates about police brutality, racial profiling, and justice system reform.
Ferguson became the epicentre of prolonged protests, with images of police in riot gear facing demonstrators dominating international news coverage for weeks.
Legacy of a Movement
The Ferguson uprising marked a turning point in American discourse on race and policing. The events directly contributed to the formation of the Black Lives Matter movement, which has since become a global force advocating for racial justice and police accountability.
Johnson's decision to speak out again after ten years comes as communities across America continue to grapple with issues of police violence and systemic racism, ensuring that the lessons from Ferguson remain painfully relevant today.
