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Hundreds gather in Ferguson for Michael Brown's funeral Hundreds gather in Ferguson for Michael Brown's funeral
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of people are attending the funeral for the black teenager killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri. Hundreds of mourners are attending the funeral for the black teenager killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri.
Michael Brown, 18, who was unarmed, was killed on 9 August after being stopped by a white police office for walking in the middle of the street.Michael Brown, 18, who was unarmed, was killed on 9 August after being stopped by a white police office for walking in the middle of the street.
His death sparked days of protests and violent clashes, but tensions appear to have eased in recent days.His death sparked days of protests and violent clashes, but tensions appear to have eased in recent days.
On Monday, long lines of mourners entered the Friendly Temple Baptist Church where the service is being held.On Monday, long lines of mourners entered the Friendly Temple Baptist Church where the service is being held.
The day before, Mr Brown's father appealed for calm for the funeral. Two poster-sized photos of Mr Brown were placed inside the church near the casket, along with another photo of him as a small child.
"Tomorrow all I want is peace," Michael Brown Snr told hundreds of people at a rally in St Louis on Sunday. Those in the church sang, clapped and danced to gospel music before the service started.
The mood outside the church has been peaceful and sombre, said BBC correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan who is in Ferguson. 'Senseless killing'
Mr Brown's family addressed mourners, describing Michael as a gentle soul.
His cousin, Eric Davis, said his generation had stood up to what had happened in Ferguson.
"We have had enough. We have had enough of having our brothers and sisters killed in the streets," he said.
"Hear our voice. We have had enough of this senseless killing."
Civil rights leaders Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are among those in attendance. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon did not attend.
President Barack Obama has sent three White House aides to represent him.
The mood outside the church was peaceful and sombre, said BBC correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan who is in St Louis.
"We don't know the Brown family but our hearts empathise with them for their loss and the senseless violence," one mourner told the BBC."We don't know the Brown family but our hearts empathise with them for their loss and the senseless violence," one mourner told the BBC.
But there is still anger in Ferguson, which has a majority black population, after the shooting by white police officer, Darren Wilson - who is currently suspended on full pay.But there is still anger in Ferguson, which has a majority black population, after the shooting by white police officer, Darren Wilson - who is currently suspended on full pay.
"If Darren Wilson is not charged, there will be an uprising," another mourner said."If Darren Wilson is not charged, there will be an uprising," another mourner said.
A grand jury panel of residents has begun hearing evidence in the case, though officials have not said when it will reach a decision. A grand jury panel of residents has begun hearing evidence in the case, though the country prosecutor has said the process could take until October.
The National Guard, which was deployed to deal with violent clashes in Ferguson last week, started to withdraw from the area on Saturday as tensions showed signs of easing.The National Guard, which was deployed to deal with violent clashes in Ferguson last week, started to withdraw from the area on Saturday as tensions showed signs of easing.
'No rage''No rage'
Earlier, Michael Brown's father made his plea for calm to a crowd gathered at the Peace Fest 2014 festival, a rally against police violence in St Louis. On Sunday, Michael Brown's father made his plea for calm to a crowd gathered at the Peace Fest 2014 festival, a rally against police violence in St Louis.
"Tomorrow all I want is peace," he said.
Rev Al Sharpton also addressed the crowd, telling them the day of the funeral was not for "rage" but "about the legacy and memory of his [Michael Brown Snr's] son".Rev Al Sharpton also addressed the crowd, telling them the day of the funeral was not for "rage" but "about the legacy and memory of his [Michael Brown Snr's] son".
"We don't want anything tomorrow to happen that might defile the name of Michael Brown," the reverend added."We don't want anything tomorrow to happen that might defile the name of Michael Brown," the reverend added.
Michael Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden took the microphone to thank the crowd.Michael Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden took the microphone to thank the crowd.
She said she had seen her son's body at the morgue for the first time on Sunday since the day of the shooting.She said she had seen her son's body at the morgue for the first time on Sunday since the day of the shooting.
The family of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old who was shot and killed by a Florida neighbourhood watch organiser who was later acquitted of murder charges, was present at Sunday's rally.The family of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old who was shot and killed by a Florida neighbourhood watch organiser who was later acquitted of murder charges, was present at Sunday's rally.
"We're going to stand tall with you all,'' Trayvon Martin's father, Tracy Martin, said."We're going to stand tall with you all,'' Trayvon Martin's father, Tracy Martin, said.
Three White House officials and Governor Jay Nixon are due to attend the funeral.
The officer who killed Michael Brown, Darren Wilson, has been suspended with pay. Mr Brown's family and supporters have called for him to be prosecuted.