National

‘Hands Up! Don’t Shoot!’ Activist Says Ferguson Struggle Far from Over

Published

11 years ago

February 24, 2015

Anthony Shahid, in black, marches with Michael Brown, Sr. in t-shirt and Akbar Muhammad to the left to Shadid’s right is activist Zaki Baruti in yellow shirt. Photo: D.L. Phillips

by Richard B. Muhammad
Special to the NNPA from The Final Call

(FinalCall.com) – Anthony Shahid has a 30-year history in the St. Louis-area and for the last six months the activist has been focused on the killing of Michael Brown, Jr., and demands for justice in a struggle that has had a global impact. The outspoken Muslim has become a friend and supporter of Michael Brown, Sr., and has stood with the mother, Lesley McSpadden, and the family since the first day the 18-year-old was killed and lay in the street in Ferguson, Mo.

Video capture from news broadcast the day Michael Brown, Jr. was killed. Anthony Shahid is in the background.

His face and garb may be familiar whether wearing chains or a KKK-style robe, carrying whips or holding stuffed dogs to dramatize deadly serious points and concerns—even if his name is unfamiliar. He also started the chant, “Hands Up! Don’t Shoot!” that has captivated America and other countries and illustrates an unarmed Brown being shot to death by Officer Darren Wilson in the eyes of many.

The struggle and the fight isn’t over, said Mr. Shahid, 59, in a telephone interview, where he shared memories of the struggle from day one, talked about all those who were there from the beginning and his unshakable respect and regard for young people. He doesn’t take credit for everything, he isn’t a one-man show and he doesn’t seek praise. What he wants is justice for Black people, a cause that has fueled his life and made him unpopular with many of the powerful but loved by many of those who suffer.

Anthony Shahid leads protest in Clayton, Mo. demanding justice for Miichael Brown, Jr. Photo: DL Phillips

If the young people had not done what was done, if a convenience store had not been burned, if the young people had not faced off with the racist police, this would have been forgotten, he stressed. Young people have been there from the beginning, are tired of injustice and tired of being shot down like dogs, Mr. Shahid said. He relates fully to their anger and their outrage and wants to make sure they remain engaged and at the forefront of the struggle. He has directly confronted armed officers and led protests and marchers, facing riot gear and inhaling tear gas.

He plans to go to Selma the weekend of March 7 with young people as part of what he calls the “Selma to Ferguson struggle.” Fifty years ago Blacks had to fight for voting rights and today voting rights are under assault and 50 years ago the killing of Jimmy Lee Jackson ignited a movement and the killing of Mike Brown, Jr., ignited a movement, he said. There is also tension between older leaders today and young people who are demanding change now and Blacks have the potential to vote out Whites in power April 7 in Ferguson, Mo., Mr. Shahid added.

Then the weekend of March 20-21, there are plans for mass demonstrations in the St. Louis area, in Clayton, Mo., the seat of government and power on March 20 and in Ferguson, Mo., on March 21, he said. The movement isn’t over, none of our demands—which included the indictment of Off. Wilson, removal of county prosecutor Bob McCullough and ouster of Ferguson’s mayor and police chief, have happened, Mr. Shahid said.

He vividly remembers the day Ferguson resident David Royal called him about the shooting of young Brown. He had already heard about problems in the St. Louis suburb and was trying to set up a meeting about concerns over discrimination, 53 police officers and only three Blacks, and targeting of Blacks with traffic stops. He ended up on the scene watching a grieving mother, pained residents, angry youth, heavily armed officers and a phalanx of snarling police dogs. The fight was on from there and Anthony Shahid is not known for backing down from a fight, he is known for going straight at the opposition.

Looking into the faces of officers, some with hands on their guns, he told the crowd to put their hands in the air, just as Michael Brown did, and chanted, “Hands Up! Don’t Shoot! Don’t shoot us in the back!”

“Our people were crazy mad knowing we have been being killed for a century, this just didn’t start happening,” he said. “If those young people had not erupted like a volcano, nobody would have known about Ferguson because it would have been silenced by now.” He wants masses of young people to come back for the March protest to signal the fight isn’t over.

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Related Topics:Civil Rights Ferguson Ferguson protests Hands Up Don't Shoot Michael Brown police brutality

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Activism

Six Months in, Probate Reform Coalition Marks Progress in Protecting Elders From Financial Abuse

Despite the cited obstacles, NPRC has made some promising inroads towards their mission. NPRC has identified that nationwide the Attorneys General must be engaged and encouraged to implement oversight, protection and enforcement of the law; members find support from each other as they advocate for redress via “letters of compassion” sent to judges, nursing facilities and law enforcement agencies and members are instructed on their rights, how to take constructive action to protect those rights through access to resources that allow them to intelligently represent themselves in court.

Published

6 days ago

June 24, 2026

Oakland Post

NPRC member Stewart E. Handte, a former Mineral County, Nevada, Sheriff and 27-year veteran of police work, currently wears an ankle monitor after he was arrested on kidnapping charges for helping his friend, Roger Hilligus, remove Hilligus’ mother, Susan Hilligus, from a nursing facility after finding her bruised and neglected. NPRC has submitted a “Letter of Compassion” for both Handte and Hilligus requesting that charges be dropped. Courtesy photo.

By Tanya Dennis

The National Probate Reform Coalition, a loose-knit national coalition of advocates, victims, and families dedicated to protecting elder rights, especially within the probate court system, was formed by the Post Newspaper Group (PNG) after more than a decade of reporting on the mistreatment of elders and the plunder of their estates.

In response, PNG Publisher Paul Cobb set in motion a series of monthly town halls to address the problem and propose workable solutions, designating it a “year of action.”

At six months, the coalition has attracted families, advocates, and experts across the nation whose strategies have proven effective in their respective states, and who are moving forward collectively with the mission of engaging judicial, legislative, and enforcement agencies to ensure elders are not exploited or abused.

“The issue of elder abuse is multi-layered”, says NPRC planning committee member Venus Gist. “Elders are our most vulnerable population, next to children, and they are easily exploited by strangers, their own family members, and the judicial system designed to protect them.”

Since January, NPRC has, via monthly virtual meetings held on the first Thursday of each month, clearly defined the issues and formulated workable solutions that can be implemented nationwide.

“There are amazing laws on the books that protect elders and their assets,” said NPRC member Zakiya Jendayi. “The problem is they are ignored, and that lack of oversight has led to systemic abuse in the Probate Court system, not just in Alameda County, but nationwide.

“The scary part is the collusion and wall of silence NPRC has encountered when reaching out to the Judicial Council, legislators, and the State Bar for assistance. It’s so obvious that one hand is washing the other, that they’re protecting each other, that it’s difficult to initiate any type of meaningful reform much less dialogue.”

Stacy Drake, a Texas member, says, “I’ve been looking for help for over 10 years with my situation, and I finally found it within the NPRC coalition. God answered my prayers.”

Broadening its reach within Alameda County, NPRC has invited Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee to assist with outreach, education, and resolution.

“We hope to host an elder abuse/elder protection symposium annually, if not twice a year, to let our elders know that Alameda County and the City of Oakland are a safe place, a place where in their golden years they have no worries regarding exploitation and abuse,” said Cobb. “Society is defined by how the care for its children and elders.”

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Bay Area

UC Berkeley Named Top Public University in the U.S. and No. 7 in the World by ‘U.S. News’

Berkeley has been consistently awarded the distinction of the U.S.’s top public university since the Best Global Universities list was first published in 2014. “A strong position in the Best Global Universities rankings recognizes a school’s profound commitment to world-class research and cross-border academic excellence,” said LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News.

Published

6 days ago

June 24, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Keegan Houser/UC Berkeley.

The 2026 Best Global Universities rankings evaluated 2,250 research institutions from more than 100 countries

By Lila Thulin

U.S. News & World Report has ranked UC Berkeley No. 7 in its 2026 list of the best global universities, which assesses more than 2,250 research institutions worldwide.

Berkeley also claimed the honor of top public university in the U.S.

Released on Monday, the list evaluates universities from more than 100 countries on 13 metrics such as global and research reputation (as reported by academics and peers) and number of highly cited scholarly papers.

Berkeley has been consistently awarded the distinction of the U.S.’s top public university since the Best Global Universities list was first published in 2014.

“A strong position in the Best Global Universities rankings recognizes a school’s profound commitment to world-class research and cross-border academic excellence,” said LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News.

The rankings also assess a university’s strength in various subject areas; these assessments are separate from U.S. News’ 2026 Best Graduate Programs rankings released in April.

This year, Berkeley was named in the top three nationally in seven subject areas – environment/ecology, ecology, water resources, physics, computer science, chemistry, and engineering – and in the top five for a total of 17 subjects. Subject rankings are based heavily on scholarly publications and citations as well as reputation.

In September, U.S. News also released its 2026 Best Colleges list, in which Berkeley was also named the No. 1 public institution among American universities.

That honor joins other accolades judging campus to be the best public university in the country, such as those from Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education.

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Lock In Car Price: Avoid Dealer Payment Traps!

Watch the long-form video https://youtu.be/YANxGwD2CjI Don’t get swayed by monthly payments! Always settle the out-of-the-door price first, including all fees. Only then discuss monthly payments, terms, and potential add-ons. #AutoNetwork #CarBuyingTips #CarSales #DealershipSecrets #Negotiation
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Published

6 days ago

June 23, 2026

Oakland Post

Watch the long-form video

Don’t get swayed by monthly payments! Always settle the out-of-the-door price first, including all fees. Only then discuss monthly payments, terms, and potential add-ons. #AutoNetwork #CarBuyingTips #CarSales #DealershipSecrets #Negotiation

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