Deray Mckesson, Johnetta Elzie, Dr. Cornel West, And Others Arrested In Ferguson

Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the death of Michael Brown. The FADER caught up with a number of writers and activists to hear their views on the last year. One of these was DeRay Mckesson, a member of We The Protestors. "A broad consensus has formed in agreement that the way that we think about safety in communities and the role of the police must change," he noted.

In Ferguson yesterday, people gathered to commemorate Brown. However, an 18 year-old, Tyrone Harris, was reportedly involved in a gunfight with the police and is now in the hospital in critical condition. The New York Times subsequently reported that Ferguson officials declared a state of emergency.

A number of activists continued their nonviolent protests against police brutality this afternoon. According to The Huffington Post, Mckesson was arrested today along with Johnetta Elzie, Dr. Cornel West, and others. Mckesson posted several videos of activists being taken into custody. Another detainee took the preemptive step of tweeting, "If I'm arrested today please know I'm not suicidal," referencing the recent string of inmate deaths in jail.

The U.S. Attorney's Office suggested that the detainees would be released later this afternoon. Read other activists and writers thoughts on the year since Brown's death here.