Killer Mike Delivers Emotional Speech in St. Louis After Ferguson Grand Jury Decision

Last night, a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown, the unarmed black teenager who was shot and killed after an encounter with police in August. Protesters in Ferguson and across the country expressed outrage at the decision.

Soon after the jury’s decision was announced, Run the Jewels (the duo of Killer Mike and El-P) performed at the Ready Room in St. Louis, just a few miles from Ferguson. This summer, Killer Mike discussed Michael Brown’s death on CNN, in an Instagram post, and in  a Billboard op-ed. Last night, Killer Mike delivered an emotional speech in which he lambasted the country’s “war machine,” offered support to Brown’s family and the protesters, and expressed fear for his own two sons. Watch it below, via FACT.

“We usually come on to Queen’s ‘[We Are The] Champion[s]‘,” Killer Mike began. “And I just gotta tell you today that, man, no matter how much we do it, no matter how much we get shit together, shit comes along and kicks you on your ass, and you don’t feel like a champion. So tonight, I got kicked on my ass when I listened to that prosecutor.” As he reflected on the decision’s implications for his sons, he appeared on the verge of tears. 

Elsewhere, in New York City, Q-Tip participated in a march in Times Square, leading chants of “Whose streets? Our streets!” and “Hands up! Don’t shoot!” Below, watch footage via OkayAfrica.

A video posted by okayafrica (@okayafrica) onNov 11, 2014 at 9:03pm PST

A video posted by okayafrica (@okayafrica) onNov 11, 2014 at 8:50pm PST

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