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Michael Brown killing: Jay Nixon promises 'operational shifts' Michael Brown killing: State police to take charge
(35 minutes later)
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has described the Ferguson riots as "deeply challenging" and promised "operational shifts" to ease the situation. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has announced state police will take charge in the troubled suburb of Ferguson.
Over the past four nights, heavily armed police have clashed with protesters angry at the police killing of black teenager Michael Brown. Over the past four nights, heavily armed local police have clashed with protesters angry at the police killing of black teenager Michael Brown.
President Barack Obama has urged police not to use "excessive force". Mr Nixon made the announcement after President Barack Obama urged police not to use "excessive force".
"We all need to hold ourselves to a high standard, particularly those of us in positions of authority," he said."We all need to hold ourselves to a high standard, particularly those of us in positions of authority," he said.
Mr Nixon said the scenes of violent confrontation between protestors and county police over the past week had resembled a "war zone".
"We're going to have to regain trust," he said.
Missouri Highway Patrol's Captain Ron Johnson will be in charge of policing from this point on, said Mr Nixon.
The tension in Ferguson was sparked by the death of Michael Brown, 18, on Saturday afternoon.The tension in Ferguson was sparked by the death of Michael Brown, 18, on Saturday afternoon.
Details about the incident have been disputed but eyewitnesses said the unarmed teenager had his arms raised when he was shot multiple times by a police officer.Details about the incident have been disputed but eyewitnesses said the unarmed teenager had his arms raised when he was shot multiple times by a police officer.
Police say there was a struggle and the officer suffered facial injuries.Police say there was a struggle and the officer suffered facial injuries.
The authorities have yet to release the officer's name, saying they are worried that his life and that of his family could be in danger.The authorities have yet to release the officer's name, saying they are worried that his life and that of his family could be in danger.
But this decision has provoked anger from the two-thirds black community of Ferguson against the majority white police force.But this decision has provoked anger from the two-thirds black community of Ferguson against the majority white police force.
The online hacker group Anonymous earlier released what they believed was the name of the police shooter. It was later dismissed as incorrect by police.The online hacker group Anonymous earlier released what they believed was the name of the police shooter. It was later dismissed as incorrect by police.
Right to protest
In remarks at a predominantly black local church on Thursday afternoon, Mr Nixon stressed the need for people to feel safe, wherever they were in the state.
He acknowledged the right for people to protest against what they perceived as injustice.
"We also need to allow folks who want to express their energy in an appropriate way to have absolutely the right to do that," he said.
"We will not get the healing that we all need if the only response from the public is - just be quiet."
On Wednesday night, heavily armed riot police fired tear gas at demonstrators who had ignored an order to disperse.On Wednesday night, heavily armed riot police fired tear gas at demonstrators who had ignored an order to disperse.
Several people were arrested, two of them journalists who said they were assaulted before being released.Several people were arrested, two of them journalists who said they were assaulted before being released.
In a specially convened press conference during his holiday, Mr Obama said there was "no excuse" for police to use excessive force against peaceful protesters.In a specially convened press conference during his holiday, Mr Obama said there was "no excuse" for police to use excessive force against peaceful protesters.
"Here in the United States of America, police should not be bullying or arresting journalists who are just trying to do their jobs and report to the American people on what they see on the ground," he said."Here in the United States of America, police should not be bullying or arresting journalists who are just trying to do their jobs and report to the American people on what they see on the ground," he said.
Powder key
But Mr Obama also recognised the violence and criminal behaviour police had faced since Mr Brown's killing.But Mr Obama also recognised the violence and criminal behaviour police had faced since Mr Brown's killing.
"There is never an excuse for violence against police or for those who would use this tragedy as a cover for vandalism or looting," he said."There is never an excuse for violence against police or for those who would use this tragedy as a cover for vandalism or looting," he said.
Ferguson Police Department Chief Thomas Jackson described the situation as a "powder keg".Ferguson Police Department Chief Thomas Jackson described the situation as a "powder keg".
He said firebombs were being thrown at police and one officer suffered a broken ankle after being hit by a brick.He said firebombs were being thrown at police and one officer suffered a broken ankle after being hit by a brick.
"We would like the protesters to stop the violence, we certainly don't want to have any violence," he said."We would like the protesters to stop the violence, we certainly don't want to have any violence," he said.
Of those young black men and women taking to the streets to protest, many say they have no other outlet to show their objection.Of those young black men and women taking to the streets to protest, many say they have no other outlet to show their objection.
They have said they will not stop protesting until they are listened to.They have said they will not stop protesting until they are listened to.
"You're going to have to respect the fact we're citizens in this city and you're going to give us equal rights," Michael Brown's neighbour, Howard Bronner, told the BBC."You're going to have to respect the fact we're citizens in this city and you're going to give us equal rights," Michael Brown's neighbour, Howard Bronner, told the BBC.
Mr Obama has promised a full investigation by the US Department of Justice into the teenager's death, and the FBI has launched its own inquiry.Mr Obama has promised a full investigation by the US Department of Justice into the teenager's death, and the FBI has launched its own inquiry.