Ferguson & Foley, Stories Bigger than the Individual Tragedies

Human tragedy has plagued the news recently with individuals suffering horrific atrocities and in the process bringing attention to even bigger problems.

Ferguson, Missouri

Protests have been raging in Ferguson, Missouri since early August when a young black man, Michael Brown, was shot by a white police officer. An autopsy, one of many to be carried out, would later reveal that Michael had been shot 6 times including 2 to the head.

Police used tear gas and rubber bullets on protestors in what would be the start of endless protests against police brutality. As time passed and anger grew police resorted to smoke bombs and tear gas to disperse crowds. Police even arrested and detained journalists exacerbating the situation as news agencies called into question the police response.

Days into the protest thousands gathered across the US for a moment of silence for victims of police brutality. President Obama called for calm as State Troopers took over security with the commander of the State Troopers joining protesters as they marched in hopes of avoiding more unrest.

However progress was short lived after the disclosure by the officer responsible for the shooting and accusations that Micheal had been involved in an earlier store robbery. As the situation deteriorated once again police began imposing curfews and fired smoke canisters and tear gas into the crowds.

With growing unrest Missouri has called in the National Guard to help and used armoured vehicles to disperse crowds while President Obama has sent Attorney General Eric Holder to Ferguson as protests continue.

James Foley

American journalist James Foley was executed on camera by ISIS militants in retaliation for US airstrikes in Iraq. The execution is believed to have been carried out by a British citizen according to British Prime Minister David Cameron. James was abducted on 22 November 2012 and held captive until the video of his execution. The US government has admitted there had been a failed rescue attempt earlier in the year.

ISIS have since threatened to kill another journalist, Steven Joel Sotloff, who was briefly shown at the end of the video with an ISIS member stating "The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision"