Yvette Nicole Brown

That attention followed Leslie on social media, too. Strangers even posted false statements about Leslie's parenting. She remembers that all of the disrespect and hate started right away.

That attention followed Leslie on social media, too. Strangers even posted false statements about Leslie's parenting. She remembers that all of the disrespect and hate started right away.

The hate and disrespect came at Leslie from all angles. Everything from lies intended to harm Mike's reputation to criticism of Leslie's hair color. That's right, her hair color.

The hate and disrespect came at Leslie from all angles. Everything from lies intended to harm Mike's reputation to criticism of Leslie's hair color. That's right, her hair color.

Belinda, Leslie's longtime friend and co-worker at Straub's, remembers feeling protective of Leslie.

Belinda, Leslie's longtime friend and co-worker at Straub's, remembers feeling protective of Leslie.

Away from the cameras, Leslie was doing everything she could to stay strong for her family, for Mike's three younger siblings, and for her husband, Louis. But at night, in her grief, she'd lay in the doorway of her bedroom waiting to feel Mike's presence.

Away from the cameras, Leslie was doing everything she could to stay strong for her family, for Mike's three younger siblings, and for her husband, Louis. But at night, in her grief, she'd lay in the doorway of her bedroom waiting to feel Mike's presence.

That night was a turning point for Leslie.

That night was a turning point for Leslie.

She was in the fight. And as she witnessed more of the protesting happening in Ferguson and around the world, the cause became clearer.

She was in the fight. And as she witnessed more of the protesting happening in Ferguson and around the world, the cause became clearer.

The biggest protests were yet to come. On November 24, 2014, the grand jury would announce whether the officer who killed Mike would be indicted. Leading up to that day, there were conflicting stories circulating. Neighbors who saw the shooting said Mike had his hands up at the time he was murdered. Meanwhile, the online smear campaign ramped up.

The biggest protests were yet to come. On November 24, 2014, the grand jury would announce whether the officer who killed Mike would be indicted. Leading up to that day, there were conflicting stories circulating. Neighbors who saw the shooting said Mike had his hands up at the time he was murdered. Meanwhile, the online smear campaign ramped up.

It contradicted those accounts, with people saying that Mike never had his hands up and that he had acted aggressively. Ferguson police also painted Mike as a criminal. They released security footage purporting to show Mike and his friend stealing from a convenience store on August 9th.

It contradicted those accounts, with people saying that Mike never had his hands up and that he had acted aggressively. Ferguson police also painted Mike as a criminal. They released security footage purporting to show Mike and his friend stealing from a convenience store on August 9th.

With the video's release, they shifted public attention away from both the officer that murdered Mike and the ongoing police violence against protesters. Despite everything, Leslie and the protesters held on to hope that the truth of what happened would lead to real justice. They had this hope because President Barack Obama made a statement of support. And Eric Holder, the first Black U.S.

With the video's release, they shifted public attention away from both the officer that murdered Mike and the ongoing police violence against protesters. Despite everything, Leslie and the protesters held on to hope that the truth of what happened would lead to real justice. They had this hope because President Barack Obama made a statement of support. And Eric Holder, the first Black U.S.

Attorney General, met with Mike's family personally.

Attorney General, met with Mike's family personally.