It was a protest of an altogether different sort. Rather than take to the streets of Ferguson, these demonstrators took their demands to the seats of the symphony. As the St. Louis Symphony returned from intermission Saturday night and readied to launch into Brahms' 'Ein deutsches Requiem' (A German Requiem), two audience members stood up and began singing an old protest song — modified for a new cause. "Justice for Mike Brown is justice for us all, Which side are you on friend? Which side are you on?"

Then, others slowly joined in — in the balcony, on the floor, in various parts of the auditorium. The protesters unfurled banners. "Mike Brown 1996-2014," said one. "Racism lives here," said another.

The reaction was mixed. There was applause among many in the audience. Other patrons remained unimpressed. "He was a thug," a man was captured on camera saying.