On Sunday, at a rally for unity in Ferguson, Captain Ronald Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol delivered a powerful and heartfelt speech regarding the death of Michael Brown.
No new facts emerged about the case, but the speech received a standing ovation, seemingly delivered a sense of leadership and understanding.
Captain Johnson first apologized to the family of Michael Brown. "I wear this uniform, and I should stand up here and say that I'm sorry," Johnson began.
"This is my neighborhood," Johnson continued. "You are my family, you are my friends and I am you. And I will stand and protect you, and your right to protest."
Johnson was appointed by Governor Jay Nixon to monitor the protests, after days of heavily militarized policing sparked controversy and unrest. The Missouri State Highway Patrol captain is a Ferguson native, and he spoke to the community about his own family -- including his daughter and his own son.
“When this is over, I’m gonna go in my son’s room,” Johnson said. “My black son, who wears his pants saggy, wears his hat cocked to the side, got tattoos on his arms. But that’s my baby, and we all oughta be thanking the Browns for Michael. Because Michael’s gonna make it better for our sons, so they can be better black men.”
Watch the video below:
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