Claim: Police officers in Ferguson, Missouri, have been spotted wearing wristbands that read "I am Darren Wilson."
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TRUE |
Example: [Collected via Twitter, September 2014]
Origins: On 9 August 2014, unarmed Ferguson, Missouri, teenager Mike Brown was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson. The incident was controversial and sparked national debate, and many online rumors circulated about both Brown and Wilson in the wake of the shooting.
In the weeks following Brown's death, police and protesters clashed repeatedly in Ferguson. Conversations about the militarization of local police
forces were one of the multiple debates that ensued, and many of the folks participating in and following the protests claimed that Ferguson police behaved in an unnecessarily forceful fashion at public demonstrations.
On or around 23 September 2014, an image began to circulate on social media sites that appeared to support claims of that nature. According to users of social media services such as Twitter and Facebook, officers in Ferguson had taken to wearing black wristbands bearing the phrase "I am Darren Wilson," suggesting that police were tacitly provoking protesters or seeking to sow seeds of discord among those who did not support the officer's actions.
One image that circulated particularly broadly showed an "I am Darren Wilson" wristband on the arm of an unidentified person. All that was visible aside from the bracelet was a wristwatch, what appeared to be a utility belt and flashlight, and a camouflage glove.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, who was placed in charge of law enforcement in Ferguson during a period of civil unrest following the shooting, was asked about the wristbands. St. Louis Alderman Antonio French tweeted and retweeted on 24 September 2014 that:
Johnson said he'll be having a talk with the agencies of the officers who wore the "I Am Darren Wilson" wristbands. Presumably Ferguson PD.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) September 24, 2014
Ron Johnson says #DarrenWilson armbands r individual statements really? Police Dept is para military organization they do as told or allowed
— Lizz Brown (@lizzzbrown) September 24, 2014
While French's tweet was interpreted as sufficient proof that "I am Darren Wilson" wristbands were being worn by officers in Ferguson, additional evidence documenting the validity of that image and interpretation was initially scant. However, the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division confirmed a few days later in a letter to Ferguson police chief Thomas Jackson which was made public that local residents had provided them with additional photographs showing officers wearing similar bracelets (although it was unclear whether the officers pictured worked for the Ferguson Police Department or other law enforcement agencies):
Last updated: 27 September 2014