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Michael Brown shooting: Activists appeal for calm Michael Brown shooting: Activists appeal for calm
(35 minutes later)
Civil rights activists have called for calm and for police transparency in Ferguson, Missouri, after the shooting of an unarmed black teenager by police.Civil rights activists have called for calm and for police transparency in Ferguson, Missouri, after the shooting of an unarmed black teenager by police.
The death on Saturday of Michael Brown, 18, has sparked two nights of unrest.The death on Saturday of Michael Brown, 18, has sparked two nights of unrest.
"To become violent in Michael Brown's name is to betray the gentle giant he was," said the Revered Al Sharpton, flanked by Mr Brown's parents."To become violent in Michael Brown's name is to betray the gentle giant he was," said the Revered Al Sharpton, flanked by Mr Brown's parents.
President Barack Obama also urged peace, saying: "Remember this young man through reflection and understanding."
In a statement, he said the incident was "heartbreaking".
"We should comfort each other and talk with one another in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds," he said.
The FBI and the US justice department's civil rights division have opened an investigation into the shooting.The FBI and the US justice department's civil rights division have opened an investigation into the shooting.
Mr Sharpton said he had spoken to Mr Brown's family and they had told him they wanted "justice and fairness in the process of losing their son".Mr Sharpton said he had spoken to Mr Brown's family and they had told him they wanted "justice and fairness in the process of losing their son".
Referring to two nights of looting and street battles with the police that followed news of the killing, Mr Sharpton said no-one had the right to take Michael Brown's name and "drag it through the mud". Referring to the violence and looting, he said no-one had the right to take Michael Brown's name and "drag it through the mud".
"Some of us are making the story how mad we are, rather than how promising he was," he said."Some of us are making the story how mad we are, rather than how promising he was," he said.
But Mr Sharpton said it was important the killing be properly investigated so the community could have confidence in the judicial process. Speaking after around 50 demonstrators marched on the police headquarters, Mr Sharpton joined others in demanding police reveal the name of the officer who shot and killed Mr Brown.
"We want the federal government to step in," he said.
He and others demanded local police reveal the name of the officer who shot and killed Mr Brown. He spoke shortly after around 50 demonstrators marched on the police headquarters.
"The local authorities have put themselves in a position, hiding names, not being transparent, where people will not trust anything but an objective investigation," Mr Sharpton said."The local authorities have put themselves in a position, hiding names, not being transparent, where people will not trust anything but an objective investigation," Mr Sharpton said.
Police say death threats on social media have prevented them naming the officer.
Dozens of people have been arrested since Sunday, when unrest broke out in the town following Brown's death.Dozens of people have been arrested since Sunday, when unrest broke out in the town following Brown's death.
The Tuesday protests were peaceful if tense, but they came after police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a large crowd in Ferguson the night before.The Tuesday protests were peaceful if tense, but they came after police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a large crowd in Ferguson the night before.
Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson said a group which had gathered at a burned-out convenience store became rowdy at duskFerguson Police Chief Tom Jackson said a group which had gathered at a burned-out convenience store became rowdy at dusk
Members of the crowd threw rocks at police, he said, and there was gunfire coming from the crowd.Members of the crowd threw rocks at police, he said, and there was gunfire coming from the crowd.
Thirty-two people were arrested on Sunday night after people looted shops, vandalised cars and stores, and set a building alight.Thirty-two people were arrested on Sunday night after people looted shops, vandalised cars and stores, and set a building alight.
The FBI is investigating the shooting and US Attorney General Eric Holder said the case deserved a "fulsome review".The FBI is investigating the shooting and US Attorney General Eric Holder said the case deserved a "fulsome review".
The justice department has also sent its community relations team to the area.The justice department has also sent its community relations team to the area.
Police say Brown was shot several times after a struggle in a police car on Saturday, but witnesses have said Brown was shot when he had his arms raised.Police say Brown was shot several times after a struggle in a police car on Saturday, but witnesses have said Brown was shot when he had his arms raised.
Police have not commented on such eyewitness reports, citing their ongoing investigation.Police have not commented on such eyewitness reports, citing their ongoing investigation.
The officer involved has been with the Ferguson police department for six years, and has been placed on paid administrative leave.The officer involved has been with the Ferguson police department for six years, and has been placed on paid administrative leave.