We are all familiar with the Aug. 9 shooting death of Michael Brown that took place in Ferguson, Missouri. According to Officer Darren Wilson, he shot Brown because he wasn’t listening to his commands. Police brutality needs to stop because if it continues then more problems will occur within our divided community. There could have been different ways of apprehending Brown, such as using a baton or tasing him.

On Monday, Nov. 23 the Missouri Grand Jury announced that Wilson was not charged. After the verdict, many were devastated that Wilson had not been indicted. The death of Trayvon Martin along with Stockton teen James Rivera, who was shot multiple times by police, resulted in outrage from their communities for the unarmed teenagers. The brutality police officers commit is inhumane to do in a just society.

However, Brown’s parents were shocked and devastated to hear that the officer who killed their son was not guilty. His mother, Lesley McSpadden, told CNN, “This could be your child. This could be anybody’s child.”

As soon as the verdict was announced as not guilty, protesters took to the streets in Ferguson chanting, “No Justice! No Peace!” Soon after, riots broke out, where many people upset with the verdict started stealing from stores, setting police cars on fire, and breaking into buildings. Not only were there demonstrations taking place in the U.S., but many other demonstrations spread rapidly to Canada and England in the fight for justice.

Police officers should use less harmful weapons, such as a taser or baton before using a deadly weapon, unless the officer feels his life is in danger. Taking this policy into consideration will make a difference in the community. If enforced, communities wouldn’t have to be going through emotional pain or the nonsense of police brutality.

Eventually, the community will sigh in relief when they realize fighting for justice payed off after all.