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Michael Brown funeral: St Louis mourns Ferguson teenager Michael Brown funeral: St Louis mourns Ferguson teenager
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of people have attended 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.
Mourners at the Friendly Temple Baptist Church in St Louis sang, prayed and remembered the life of Michael Brown.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.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.
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." Addressing the mourners, civil rights leader Rev Al Sharpton said people had a right to protest without police intimidation.
Civil rights leaders Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are among those in attendance. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon did not attend. "How do you think we look when young people march non-violently asking for 'the land of the free and the home of the brave' to hear their cry and you put snipers on the roof and pointed guns at them," he said.
President Barack Obama has sent three White House aides to represent him. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon did not attend, while President Barack Obama 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. 'There will be an uprising'
The mood outside the church was peaceful and sombre, said BBC correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan, 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 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. Many residents have demanded that Officer Wilson should be arrested and prosecuted.
'No rage' 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.
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. The response by the authorities, who flooded the town with hundreds of officers in riot gear and brought in the national guard, has been criticised as heavy-handed.
"Tomorrow all I want is peace," he said. The authorities were also criticised for not being transparent enough in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, when they refused to name the police officer involved.
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". However, police also say the protests were inflamed by agitators who travelled to Ferguson from elsewhere, and that they responded to threats made against them and the firing of weapons from the crowd.
"We don't want anything tomorrow to happen that might defile the name of Michael Brown," the reverend added. Ahead of the funeral, Michael Brown's father made a plea his plea for calm. He said on Sunday: "Tomorrow all I want is peace."
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.
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.