#Ferguson
Activism hashtag following the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Peak | August-November 2014 |
| Origin | Ferguson, Missouri protests |
| Impact | Catalyzed Black Lives Matter movement |
| Related | #BlackLivesMatter, #HandsUpDontShoot |
Origin & Impact
After 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot by police officer Darren Wilson on August 9, 2014, protests erupted in Ferguson, Missouri. The hashtag became a rallying cry for documenting police actions, organizing protests, and sharing firsthand accounts from the ground. The unrest and activism lasted months, drawing national attention to police brutality and racial injustice.
#Ferguson became one of the most significant social justice hashtags of the decade, directly contributing to the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement. It demonstrated the power of social media for grassroots organizing and citizen journalism, with protesters live-streaming events and countering mainstream media narratives in real-time.