Ferguson Rises
Ferguson Rises is about tragedy, transcendence and hope. It is the story of a father's grief and a small town that gave rise to the global Black Lives Matter movement. Ferguson Rises is a powerful reminder that, while specifics may differ, the fight for human rights is universal.
Before the explosive global uprising condemning the murder of George Floyd, there was a small town in Missouri that rose up in protest after the Aug 9, 2014 killing of Black teenager Michael Brown Jr. by a white police officer. It was this small town and its people that propelled Black Lives Matter to international prominence and inspired a new global civil rights movement.
Ferguson Rises explores the depths of the aftermath and protests following Michael Brown Jr.’s killing through a wide range of community members: from Black and white residents to police officers, to business owners and those who chose to say "enough is enough" by taking to the streets for a record 400-plus days straight. This varied chorus of perspectives is interwoven with an intimate portrayal of a Black father’s grief and resilience that bears witness to the human capacity to find purpose within pain.