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Ferguson shooting: Calm returns on snowy Thanksgiving | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A level of calm has returned to Ferguson's streets following two nights of unrest. | |
There were a handful of protests and a heavy police presence, but no major incidents as Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday began, marked by snow and rain. | |
A jury's ruling not to charge a police officer for killing a black teenager sparked violence in Missouri's St Louis suburb, and protests across the US. | |
Michael Brown's family have said they felt "crushed" by the decision. | |
Their son was killed after being shot six or seven times by Officer Darren Wilson in August. | |
The policeman said he feared for his life but some witnesses said Mr Brown, who was unarmed, had his hands up when he was killed. | |
The decision by the grand jury not to press charges and bring the case to trial has triggered a nationwide debate over relations between black communities and law enforcement. | |
Wednesday night's protests in Ferguson were peaceful, although the BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan said the snow and rain could have been a factor in keeping the numbers down. | |
There were, however, dozens arrested in demonstrations in Los Angeles and Oakland, California. | |
Police said protesters vandalised businesses in Oakland and refused to disperse in Los Angeles, where there were dozens of arrests. | |
And in Portland, Oregon, police used pepper spray and made arrests after about 300 people interrupted public transport routes. | |
Earlier on Wednesday, protestors had tried to storm City Hall in St Louis. | |
Some US celebrities are reportedly calling for a boycott to take place on Black Friday - one of the country's busiest shopping days after Thanksgiving - over the grand jury ruling. | Some US celebrities are reportedly calling for a boycott to take place on Black Friday - one of the country's busiest shopping days after Thanksgiving - over the grand jury ruling. |
Police officer Darren Wilson has told US media that he had a "clean conscience" over the killing on 9 August. | Police officer Darren Wilson has told US media that he had a "clean conscience" over the killing on 9 August. |
Mr Brown's mother said the officer had been "disrespectful" in his comments and that she did not believe his account of events. | Mr Brown's mother said the officer had been "disrespectful" in his comments and that she did not believe his account of events. |
In separate comments, the teenager's father, Michael Brown Sr, said his son's character had been "crucified" by prosecutors, but also urged protesters to remain peaceful. | In separate comments, the teenager's father, Michael Brown Sr, said his son's character had been "crucified" by prosecutors, but also urged protesters to remain peaceful. |
Mr Wilson said that before the shooting, Mr Brown had pushed him back into his car, hit him and grabbed at his drawn gun, and said that he felt "like a five-year-old holding on to [US wrestler] Hulk Hogan". | Mr Wilson said that before the shooting, Mr Brown had pushed him back into his car, hit him and grabbed at his drawn gun, and said that he felt "like a five-year-old holding on to [US wrestler] Hulk Hogan". |
Mr Brown's supporters said he was attempting to surrender to Mr Wilson when he was shot. | Mr Brown's supporters said he was attempting to surrender to Mr Wilson when he was shot. |
However, the state prosecutor said physical evidence had contradicted some of the witness statements. | However, the state prosecutor said physical evidence had contradicted some of the witness statements. |
Many in Ferguson's predominantly African-American community had called for Mr Wilson to be charged with murder, but the grand jury - of nine white and three black members - decided not to charge him. | Many in Ferguson's predominantly African-American community had called for Mr Wilson to be charged with murder, but the grand jury - of nine white and three black members - decided not to charge him. |
The decision means Mr Wilson will not face state criminal charges over the shooting. | |
A spokesman for Missouri state governor Jay Nixon said he would not entertain the idea of bringing in a special prosecutor to present the case to a new grand jury, the St Louis Post reports. | |
However, the US Justice Department has also launched a federal investigation into whether Mr Wilson violated Mr Brown's civil rights. | |
Are you in the US? Are you in an area affected by recent protests? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to talk to a BBC journalist, please include a contact number. | Are you in the US? Are you in an area affected by recent protests? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to talk to a BBC journalist, please include a contact number. |
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