American Government

Current Events

Summer 2014

Current Events

Give real world/real time (happening right now)

examples of the ideas and information we will discuss

this year.

Current Events

Show how government does or should

work within and outside the U.S.

Local (Domestic)

National (Domestic)

International (Foreign)

City/State Kent/Ohio

Federal Washington,

DC

Outside

U.S.

June

ISIS begins offensive in N Iraq

FIFA World Cup

Hobby Lobby Ruling

Poor/Low public ratings of President/Congress

July

Israel vs Hamas tension

Malaysia Airline Flight 17 crashes in Ukraine

Lebron James announces return to Cleveland Cavaliers

Ray Rice domestic violence

August

U S military campaign (missile launch) in N Iraq to stop

ISIS militants

Dr Kent Brantly and Ms Writebol infected with Ebola

August

Journalist James Foley beheaded by ISIS in retaliation

for U S strikes in N Iraq

Most watched events:

The use of deadly force by the police

John Crawford: Beavercreek, Ohio

Eric Garner: Staten Island, NY

Michael Brown: Ferguson, MO

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 9th: Michael Brown (MB) shot by Officer Darren

Wilson

Aug 10th: Community protests; Police Chief Thomas

Jackson provides details of physical confrontation and

shooting

Candlelight vigil turns into violence and looting

What we know about Michael Brown

Michael Brown, 18

“gentle giant” with wicked sense of humor, didn’t cause trouble,

loved music

Fought an uphill battle, taking credit recovery classes, to graduate

on August 1st; headed to Vatterott College Aug 11th

Wanted to own his own business

Last tweet: “if i leave this earth today,” he wrote to a friend, “atleast

youll know i care about others more then i cared about my damn

self.”

What we know about Ferguson

Stats and Geography

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 11th: Protest outside FPD; FBI announces investigation

into death

St Louis PD says they will release shooter name

Brown’s parents call for justice & stop violence

FAA air restrictions for police helicopters

School cancelled in Jennings

Protests/Police use tear gas

State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal tear gassed

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 12th: MB friend Dorian Johnson gives interview to

MSNBC; MB shot with hands up

St Louis PD says officer name won’t be released

because of threats

Pres Obama: Justice Dept will review police tactics

across country

Protests; heavily armored police (police militarization)

Protestor shot and wounded

Micheal Brown Timeline

Aug 13th: City of Ferguson asks for protests/vigils to occur during

the day

Washington Post/Huffington Post reporters arrested

Volunteers clean up Ferguson

Ferguson-Florissant School District postpone 1st day of school

St Louis County Prosecutor: MB had no criminal background

Anonymous: hacktivists call for release of shooting officer’s

name (activists or terrorists?)

Michael Brown Timeling

Aug 13th (Cont):

Evening: Police in riot gear throw tear gas to clear crowds; violent

clashes with citizens continue

City of St Louis Alderman Antonio French arrested for unlawful

assembly

Police forces media back and throws tear gas at them

Bill of Rights: 1st Amendment rights

Michael Brown Timeline

Social media users initially cover shooting because

mainstream media ignores it

Live tweets

#Don’t Shoot

Having “the talk” with your Black, male son

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 14th: Gov Jay Nixon visits Ferguson; community criticism of

Pres Obama for not visiting

Alderman Antonio French released, without formal charges, after

making bail

Security turned over to Highway Patrol under Capt Ron Johnson

Pres Obama: “time of healing”; “open and transparent”

investigation

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 14th (Cont)

Teachers hold school in library and help clean up

community; Free lunch provided for students

Silent vigils held across the country to remember/honor MB

Capt Johnson marches with protesters; 1st night of

peaceful protest

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 15th: In press conference Police Chief Jackson names

Officer Darren Wilson as MB’s shooter; discusses a

robbery

Documents given to press alleges MB involvement in

robbery for cigars

Family: robbery irrelevant; question portrayal of MB in

media as “character assassination”

Live tweeting continues

#IfTheyGunnedMeDown Which picture would they use?

8th Amendment: stealing cigars not punishable by death

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 15th (Cont):

Chief Jackson says robbery irrelevant to shooting;

Officer not aware of robbery during confrontation

Evening protests continue; peaceful until someone

throws a bottle; “provocateur” and “outside agitators”

Many peaceful protestors try to stop violence

Militarized police return; tear gas used to clear crowd

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 16th: Gov Nixon declares State of Emergency;

implements curfew 12 am-5 am

“If we’re going to achieve justice, we must first have

and maintain peace.” ~ Gov Nixon”

“Leaders call for peace but want quiet.” ~ Citizen

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 17th: Despite curfew the night before people arrested and shot

in clash with police

Attorney General Holder announces that Dept of Justice (DOJ)

orders separate autopsy at MB’s family request

Autopsy: MB shot at least 6 times; 4 in right arm/2 in head;

contradicts witness that he was running away; hands up

Evening clashes between protestors and police

Live tweets continue

#HandsUp

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 18th: Gov Nixon orders National Guard into Ferguson

Results of private autopsy released

Pres Obama sends AG Eric Holder to Ferguson

Getty Images reporter arrested and released; states he

shouldn’t be arrested for doing his job

Ferguson-Flourissant School cancelled for rest of week

Evening clashes between protestors and police

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 19th: MB mom Leslie McSpadden on Today show

“When justice is prevailed, then maybe they’ll regain

their trust in the locals.”

Mayor James Knowles III: “There is no racial divide”

23 year old with knife killed by police in N St Louis;

mentally ill; “suicide by police”; police immediate

response = no unrest

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 20th: Backers of Officer Darren Wilson protest to

express view just like those calling for his arrest; set up

GoFundMe for legal fees

What about Black on Black crime? What about

Chicago?

Michael Brown Timeline Aug 20th (Cont):

Grand jury to investigate whether Officer Wilson

should be criminally charged

AG Eric Holder visits Ferguson

Calm night between protestors and police

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 21st: Gov Nixon withdraws National Guard

Aug 22nd: St Louis PD Officer suspended because of

several Facebook posts

Fewer protests

W Florrisant reopens

Calm night

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 23rd: Increased monetary support of Officer Wilson

Peaceful protests through Ferguson

Pres Obama: White House aides will attend funeral:

DOJ will review how local police departments receive

equipment and what is distributed to them

Peaceful night

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 24th: Michael Brown Sr requests peace with no

protests during son’s funeral on Monday, Aug 25th

Aug 25th: Michael Brown’s funeral held; no protests

observed

Michael Brown Timeline

Aug 29th: Hillary Clinton Breaks silence on Michael

Brown shooting

Aug 30th: Police Officer resigns after pointing weapon at

Feguson protestors and threatening to kill them

Police Officer who made Facebook comments fired

Michael Brown Shooting-What’s Next?