The St. Louis Symphony’s performance of Brahms’s "German Requiem" was halted by a Ferguson demonstration this past Saturday at Powell Hall.
After intermission, at least 50 members of the audience stood up to protest the deadly shooting of Michael Brown just before the symphony started to play.
"Which side are you on, friend, which side are you on?" a man stood up and sang, and who was later joined by other audience members singing, "Justice for Mike Brown is justice for all."
Activists lowered banners from the balcony that read, "Requiem for Mike Brown 1996-2014," "Racism lives here" and "Rise up and join the movement," reported the The St. Louis American.
Members of the audience and orchestra applauded the activists, who left chanting, “Black lives matter.”
Sarah Griesbach, 42, told The St. Louis American that she initiated the protest because she felt it was her responsibility to "raise awareness peacefully but also to disrupt the blind state of white St. Louis."
The demonstrators all purchased tickets for the event. Guest conductor Markus Stenz watched the protest from his podium and then resumed the concert.
Watch below the sincere activist in an effort to bring about social change in Brown’s honor:
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