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Ferguson shooting: Protests spread across US Ferguson shooting: Protests spread across US
(35 minutes later)
Crowds have gathered across the US to protest against Monday's decision not to charge a police officer over the killing of black teen Michael Brown.Crowds have gathered across the US to protest against Monday's decision not to charge a police officer over the killing of black teen Michael Brown.
Demonstrations from New York to Seattle were mostly peaceful, with protesters chanting and waving placards.Demonstrations from New York to Seattle were mostly peaceful, with protesters chanting and waving placards.
In and around the St Louis suburb of Ferguson, scene of major riots on Monday, 2,200 National Guard troops were deployed to stop further unrest.In and around the St Louis suburb of Ferguson, scene of major riots on Monday, 2,200 National Guard troops were deployed to stop further unrest.
Meanwhile, the officer who shot Mr Brown said he had a "clean conscience".Meanwhile, the officer who shot Mr Brown said he had a "clean conscience".
Darren Wilson shot Mr Brown, 18, on 9 August in Ferguson, Missouri, sparking weeks of unrest.Darren Wilson shot Mr Brown, 18, on 9 August in Ferguson, Missouri, sparking weeks of unrest.
The grand jury's decision. announced late on Monday, means the police officer will not face state criminal charges over the shooting. Many in Ferguson's predominantly African-American community had called for the officer to be charged with murder, but the grand jury's decision, announced late on Monday, means the police officer will not face state criminal charges over the shooting.
Lawyers for Mr Brown's family have denounced the grand jury's decision as "unfair".Lawyers for Mr Brown's family have denounced the grand jury's decision as "unfair".
'Black lives matter''Black lives matter'
With the number of troops more than trebled, the situation in Ferguson was calm for most of Tuesday, though demonstrators briefly closed a major road in central St Louis and rallies were staged outside the federal court house.With the number of troops more than trebled, the situation in Ferguson was calm for most of Tuesday, though demonstrators briefly closed a major road in central St Louis and rallies were staged outside the federal court house.
Late in the evening, however, tension began to rise in Ferguson. Protesters set a police vehicle alight after failing to overturn it, and police began to clear streets.Late in the evening, however, tension began to rise in Ferguson. Protesters set a police vehicle alight after failing to overturn it, and police began to clear streets.
At the scene: Joanna Jolly, BBC News
There's been confrontation outside Ferguson City Hall where a police vehicle was burnt earlier and tear gas still hangs in the air. There's a heavy police presence with several armoured cars and vehicles.
There is tension as police try to move people from the area - officers are saying anyone standing in the street will be subject to arrest. Some are giving chase to people in the surrounding streets and tonight they have dogs with them. A police helicopter is hovering overhead with a spotlight.
Further along, police and the National Guard face off with an angry crowd in front of the Police Department. There are fewer protesters, but a larger media presence. The crowd is jittery and there is a sense there could be further clashes.
Elsewhere in the US:Elsewhere in the US:
Protesters carried signs saying "Black lives matter". They chanted "Hands up, don't shoot," a reference to claims by some witnesses that Mr Brown had his hands raised when he was shot.Protesters carried signs saying "Black lives matter". They chanted "Hands up, don't shoot," a reference to claims by some witnesses that Mr Brown had his hands raised when he was shot.
Speaking from Chicago on Tuesday, President Barack Obama said there was "no excuse" for destructive behaviour and criminal acts of rioting, adding that those responsible should be prosecuted.Speaking from Chicago on Tuesday, President Barack Obama said there was "no excuse" for destructive behaviour and criminal acts of rioting, adding that those responsible should be prosecuted.
The frustration seen by the grand jury's decision, he said, had "deep roots in many communities of colour who have a sense that our laws are not being enforced uniformly or fairly".The frustration seen by the grand jury's decision, he said, had "deep roots in many communities of colour who have a sense that our laws are not being enforced uniformly or fairly".
He said he had ordered Attorney General Eric Holder to look at what steps could be taken to build trust in communities and make sure that "law enforcement is fair".He said he had ordered Attorney General Eric Holder to look at what steps could be taken to build trust in communities and make sure that "law enforcement is fair".
Much of the debate since August has centred on whether Michael Brown was attempting to surrender to Darren Wilson when he was shot.Much of the debate since August has centred on whether Michael Brown was attempting to surrender to Darren Wilson when he was shot.
Speaking to ABC News in his first public comments, Mr Wilson said there was nothing he could have done differently. He said he feared for his life. Speaking to ABC News in his first public comments, Mr Wilson said there was nothing he could have done differently.
"The reason I have a clean conscience is because I know I did my job right," he said."The reason I have a clean conscience is because I know I did my job right," he said.
He described Mr Brown as a "powerful man," saying he felt "like a five-year-old holding on to Hulk Hogan".He described Mr Brown as a "powerful man," saying he felt "like a five-year-old holding on to Hulk Hogan".
The policeman, who has been on administrative leave since the incident, denied witness statements that Mr Brown put his hands up. He denied witness statements that Mr Brown put his hands up, and insisted that race played no part in the confrontation.
He insisted that race played no part in the confrontation and that he would have acted in exactly the same way if the suspect had been white. 'Community deserves peace'
Process under scrutiny
More than 80 people were arrested amid riots across several areas of St Louis on Monday night. Sixty-one of those arrests were in Ferguson, with charges including burglary and trespassing.More than 80 people were arrested amid riots across several areas of St Louis on Monday night. Sixty-one of those arrests were in Ferguson, with charges including burglary and trespassing.
One police chief described it as the worst violence the town had ever seen.One police chief described it as the worst violence the town had ever seen.
Ferguson mayor James Knowles criticised what he said was a delay in deploying the National Guard, complaining that it did not come soon enough "to save all of our businesses".
"Lives and property must be protected. This community deserves to have peace," Governor Nixon said on Tuesday, explaining his decision to bring in reinforcements."Lives and property must be protected. This community deserves to have peace," Governor Nixon said on Tuesday, explaining his decision to bring in reinforcements.
Michael Brown family lawyer Benjamin Crump earlier described the grand jury process as "broken", but also said they condemned the violence that followed the decision. A lawyer for Mr Brown's family, Benjamin Crump, earlier described the grand jury process as "broken", but also said they condemned the violence that followed the decision.
Civil rights leader Al Sharpton said the prosecutor's decision to announce the verdict late at night on Monday was "irresponsible".
Many in Ferguson's predominantly African-American community had called for the officer to be charged with murder, but a Missouri grand jury - of nine white and three black members - made no recommendation of charges.