The Ferguson Police Chief Apologizes in a New Video Announcement

About six weeks after a Ferguson, MO, police officer killed 18-year-old Michael Brown, the city's police chief is apologizing to the family, the city, and the protestors in a new video. First, he addresses the Brown family, saying, "No one, who has not experienced the loss of a child, can understand what you're feeling. I am truly sorry for the loss of your son." He goes on to apologize to the community and to people who protested in Ferguson, saying, "The right of the people to peacefully assemble is what the police are here to protect. If anyone who is peacefully exercising that right is upset and angry, I feel responsible, and I am sorry."

Brown's death made international headlines, and in the days and weeks that followed, a larger conversation about racism took place. Jon Stewart's take on Ferguson went viral, as he shared his thoughts on privilege, racism, and media coverage. More recently, an 11-year-old boy from Ferguson spoke out on the underlying issues affecting his hometown, saying, "I would just like to say that the people of Ferguson, I believe, don't need tear gas thrown at them. I believe they need jobs," adding, "You're paying attention to the wrong things. You're paying attention to the looting and things like that, when the real issues aren't being solved."