By Jason Taylor, Missourinet

The mother of Michael Brown Jr., an 18-year-old man killed in 2014 by former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, will speak Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.  The disputed circumstances of the shooting heightened existing tensions in the mostly black community, leading to protests and civil unrest as well as extensive national attention.

St. Louis Alderman Antonio French

St. Louis Alderman Antonio French

St. Louis Alderman Antonio French thinks Brown’s mother, Lezley McSpadden, will address ways to prevent the killings.

“She is hoping that we can change the laws, change the system, rebuild trust, and change this existence right now where too many are being killed, unnecessarily many believe, by police officers,” says French.

He’s also expecting McSpadden to address the root cause of her son’s death.

“I think these mothers are really addressing a larger issue which is just gun violence” says French.  “There’s just too many killings in our country.  There has to be a national priority to reduce this violence.  I’m very glad that they’re going to be here to discuss that important issue.”

McSpadden will join other mothers Tuesday night to speak about their sons and daughters who died as a result of police actions.  The convention’s theme of the day is “Mothers of the Movement”.

French is a delegate to the convention.  He is supporting presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton.

French gained national recognition for his work covering the Ferguson disruptions through social media, and is also credited for helping to curb the unrest.  He is a second term Alderman representing the 21st Ward in St. Louis.