The family of Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by a police officer in Ferguson in August, have sat down for Thanksgiving dinner without their son and brother.
Brown had two sisters and seven half-siblings, but it was not immediately clear which of the siblings were pictured. Michael Brown Sr., Brown's father, can be seen standing in the middle holding a young girl.
PIC: Mike Brown's family sits at the table for their first holiday dinner without him. #StolenLives pic.twitter.com/OytgyiGLXI— Ferguson Action (@fergusonaction) November 28, 2014
The photo is a poignant reminder of the emptiness felt on Thanksgiving by the families that have lost a relative to a police shooting, and follows on from a flow of photos under the hashtag #StolenLives.
The campaign started by Ferguson Action group, calls for families to leave a seat empty at the table in solidarity with those who have lost someone they love. "This year Mike Brown's parents will have an empty seat at their dinner table, so will others who have lost a loved one to police violence," the campaign website states. "Stand in solidarity with them this holiday and save a spot for those who have been lost at your table."
A spokesperson for Ferguson Action told Mashable: "The #StolenLives campaign is our effort to remind people that the victims of police violence are loved and remembered by their families and communities. While some, like Darren Wilson, see "demons" we see our brothers, sisters and friends. Their lives matter."
We left a chair for all of the #StolenLives including #MikeBrown pic.twitter.com/b1OQPlEUlB— KB the drummer (@drbec) November 28, 2014
#SaveASeat Thanksgiving 2014 for those #StolenLives You are in our hearts tonight. The struggle continues. pic.twitter.com/8mmgm29Ehg— Dawn Gulick (@DawnGulick) November 28, 2014
Oscar Grant's family still has an empty seat at the table thanks to police violence. Stand with them. #StolenLives pic.twitter.com/sa7hAOtd5A— mervyn marcano (@britrican) November 27, 2014
We do it for you Mike Brown! #gonetosoon #StolenLives pic.twitter.com/ciN094FjZC— Trina (@Godsf8vrit) November 28, 2014
Remembering those unable to join us today. #stolenlives pic.twitter.com/zFx52PHKLd— Sisuile Butler (@sisuile) November 28, 2014
An empty plate for #StolenLives #MikeBrown #KajiemePowell #VonDerritMyers #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/2dT8AGWcsi— Brittini Gray (@B_Unbossed) November 28, 2014
Marlon Brown was run over&murdered by police over a seat belt violation.His family saves a seat for him #StolenLives pic.twitter.com/Iaq6Bl3Xt6— Ferguson Action (@fergusonaction) November 27, 2014
Save a seat for those that will never have another thanksgiving, and those who will forever miss them #stolenlives pic.twitter.com/G7WHxBSKod— Rudy Bucher (@Ruderealism) November 28, 2014
For Tamir: Your life mattered. #StolenLives#TamirRice #BlackLivesMatter #Ferguson #Thanksgiving#shutitdown pic.twitter.com/RA6g3AiFXX— Kim Love (@kimmaytube) November 28, 2014
I don't do Thanksgiving so I saved a few seats. Candles for Mike & Kajieme, candy for Tamir. #StolenLives #SaveASeat pic.twitter.com/RKVOYadhAK— Coco (@civilwarpaint) November 27, 2014
As we gather we leave a place for the #StolenLives of our young back & brown brothers & sisters who should be with us pic.twitter.com/3eXqiInQ6k— Sarah Coffey (@scribblscribbl) November 27, 2014
#MikeBrown's seat is empty this year. #StolenLives #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/n2jVtqZOOO— elle dowd (@HowNowBrownDowd) November 27, 2014