ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Protesters Stage Die-In at Chesterfield Mall Following Michael Brown Shooting

other · 2026-04-22

On January 3, 2015, a die-in took place at Chesterfield Mall in Missouri, captured by Associated Press photographer Jeff Roberson. This demonstration was a reaction to the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, which sparked widespread Black Lives Matter protests across the country. Participants lay on the ground to represent victims of police violence against Black Americans, utilizing public spaces for their message. This event occurred five months after Brown's death, showcasing suburban involvement in the racial justice movement. The photograph was featured on artcritical.com, connecting art to social activism. The die-in method gained traction between 2014 and 2015, highlighting the need for visibility and disruption in commercial areas, fueling discussions on police reform and racial justice.

Key facts

  • Protesters staged a die-in at Chesterfield Mall in Chesterfield, Missouri
  • The event occurred on January 3, 2015
  • Photographer Jeff Roberson documented the protest for Associated Press
  • The action was part of Black Lives Matter protests following Michael Brown's shooting
  • Michael Brown was killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri in August 2014
  • The die-in involved protesters lying on the floor in a public shopping center
  • The photograph was published by artcritical.com
  • Chesterfield is a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri

Entities

Artists

  • Jeff Roberson

Institutions

  • Associated Press
  • artcritical.com

Locations

  • Chesterfield
  • Missouri
  • Chesterfield Mall
  • Ferguson
  • St. Louis
  • United States

Sources