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Hundreds gather in Ferguson for Michael Brown's funeral Michael Brown funeral: St Louis mourns Ferguson teenager
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of mourners are attending the funeral for the black teenager killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri. Hundreds of people have attended 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. Mourners at the Friendly Temple Baptist Church in St Louis sang, prayed and remembered the life of Michael Brown.
Mr Brown, 18, who was unarmed, was killed on 9 August after being stopped by a white police officer 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.
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.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.
Those in the church sang, clapped and danced to gospel music before the service started.Those in the church sang, clapped and danced to gospel music before the service started.
'Senseless killing''Senseless killing'
Mr Brown's family addressed mourners, describing Michael as a gentle soul.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.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."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.""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.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.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.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 the country prosecutor has said the process could take until October.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'
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.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."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.