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Michael Brown shooting: Obama calls for calm | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US President Barack Obama has appealed for calm in Ferguson, Missouri, after the shooting of a black teenager by police sparked two nights of violence. | |
He described the death on Saturday of Michael Brown as heartbreaking and added: "Remember this young man through reflection and understanding." | |
In two nights of unrest in the St Louis suburb, dozens were arrested, shops looted and tear gas fired by police. | |
Civil rights activist, the Reverend Al Sharpton, also appealed for peace. | |
"To become violent in Michael Brown's name is to betray the gentle giant he was," he said, flanked by Mr Brown's parents. | |
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. |
Police say Brown was shot several times after a struggle in a police car, but witnesses have said the unarmed Brown was shot when he had his arms raised. | |
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. | 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. |
"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, who has been placed on paid administrative leave. | |
Protests during the day on Tuesday 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 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. |