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Ferguson unrest: White House steps up involvement | Ferguson unrest: White House steps up involvement |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The US attorney general is to travel to the riot-hit town of Ferguson, as the federal authorities step up efforts to restore calm after the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black teenager. | The US attorney general is to travel to the riot-hit town of Ferguson, as the federal authorities step up efforts to restore calm after the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black teenager. |
Eric Holder will go to the town on Wednesday to meet officials in charge of a federal investigation into the killing of Michael Brown on 9 August. | |
President Barack Obama urged the local community to "try to unite each other". | |
Protesters and police are continuing a tense stand-off in the town. | |
Eyewitnesses said security forces were telling groups of protesters they had to keep moving on the streets. | |
Several arrests were reported, including that of a photographer working for Getty Images agency. | |
The National Guard has been deployed to support police operations, and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on Monday lifted a night-time curfew in the town. | The National Guard has been deployed to support police operations, and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on Monday lifted a night-time curfew in the town. |
'Critical step' | 'Critical step' |
In a statement, Mr Holder said he would "personally travel" to Ferguson on Wednesday to meet FBI investigators and prosecutors. | In a statement, Mr Holder said he would "personally travel" to Ferguson on Wednesday to meet FBI investigators and prosecutors. |
"I realise there is tremendous interest in the facts of the incident that led to Michael Brown's death, but I ask for the public patience as we conduct this investigation," Mr Holder said. | "I realise there is tremendous interest in the facts of the incident that led to Michael Brown's death, but I ask for the public patience as we conduct this investigation," Mr Holder said. |
And he stressed that the investigation into the shooting of 18-year-old Mr Brown was "a critical step in restoring trust between law enforcement and the community, not just in Ferguson, but beyond". | And he stressed that the investigation into the shooting of 18-year-old Mr Brown was "a critical step in restoring trust between law enforcement and the community, not just in Ferguson, but beyond". |
Separately, President Obama said he understood the "passions and anger" provoked by the death of the teenager. | Separately, President Obama said he understood the "passions and anger" provoked by the death of the teenager. |
But he said giving into anger "by looting or carrying guns and even attacking the police only serves to raise tensions and stir chaos". | But he said giving into anger "by looting or carrying guns and even attacking the police only serves to raise tensions and stir chaos". |
"It undermines rather than advances justice," he said. | "It undermines rather than advances justice," he said. |
'Objects of fear' | 'Objects of fear' |
Mr Obama said he recognised that in many communities in the US a "gulf of mistrust" existed between local residents and law enforcement. | Mr Obama said he recognised that in many communities in the US a "gulf of mistrust" existed between local residents and law enforcement. |
"In too many communities, too many young men of colour are left behind and seen only as objects of fear," he said. | "In too many communities, too many young men of colour are left behind and seen only as objects of fear," he said. |
But he urged the community to look for understanding, and seek to heal. | But he urged the community to look for understanding, and seek to heal. |
Earlier, a former New York pathologist hired by Mr Brown's family to perform an independent autopsy into his shooting gave his findings. | Earlier, a former New York pathologist hired by Mr Brown's family to perform an independent autopsy into his shooting gave his findings. |
Dr Michael Baden said he believed six bullets struck Mr Brown, two of which may have re-entered. | Dr Michael Baden said he believed six bullets struck Mr Brown, two of which may have re-entered. |
"All of the gunshot wounds could have been survivable, except the one at the top of the head," he said. | "All of the gunshot wounds could have been survivable, except the one at the top of the head," he said. |
Position of surrender | Position of surrender |
Dr Baden said there were no signs of a struggle, as abrasions around the teenager's face were likely from falling to the pavement after being shot. | Dr Baden said there were no signs of a struggle, as abrasions around the teenager's face were likely from falling to the pavement after being shot. |
He also believed Mr Wilson did not shoot him at close range as there was no gunpowder residue on his body, suggesting the officer was at least 2ft away. | He also believed Mr Wilson did not shoot him at close range as there was no gunpowder residue on his body, suggesting the officer was at least 2ft away. |
Witnesses have said Mr Brown was shot as he held his hands up in a position of surrender, while the police and supporters of Mr Wilson have said he fired during a fight with Mr Brown. | Witnesses have said Mr Brown was shot as he held his hands up in a position of surrender, while the police and supporters of Mr Wilson have said he fired during a fight with Mr Brown. |
The officer who shot Mr Brown, Darren Wilson, has been suspended with pay since the shooting. | The officer who shot Mr Brown, Darren Wilson, has been suspended with pay since the shooting. |
Mr Brown's family have called for the officer to be arrested and prosecuted. | Mr Brown's family have called for the officer to be arrested and prosecuted. |
Another autopsy on Mr Brown will be conducted by the US justice department, in addition to examinations by Dr Baden and St Louis county officials. | Another autopsy on Mr Brown will be conducted by the US justice department, in addition to examinations by Dr Baden and St Louis county officials. |
Timeline of events | Timeline of events |
Are you in Ferguson? Did you witness or take part in any of the recent events surrounding the death of Michael Brown? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Ferguson'. | Are you in Ferguson? Did you witness or take part in any of the recent events surrounding the death of Michael Brown? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Ferguson'. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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