Monday, August 18, 2014

Ferguson protests: National Guard sent to Missouri unrest

Police on streets of Ferguson (17 August 2014)
COMING UP: Michael Brown family news briefing

The US state of Missouri is sending the National Guard to the town of Ferguson as protests escalate over the police shooting of an unarmed black teenager.
Governor Jay Nixon signed an order to "help restore peace and order".
An independent autopsy has found Michael Brown, 18, was shot by a Ferguson police officer six times, including twice in the head.
On Sunday evening police dispersed angry crowds shortly before a second consecutive night under curfew began.
The mother of Michael Brown has called for the arrest of the officer who killed her son on 9 August. He has been suspended pending a full investigation.
Officials last week confirmed that Darren Wilson, a six-year police veteran with no previous complaints against him, has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting.
In an interview with US media, Mr Brown's mother said the only way to restore peace in Ferguson was by "arresting [Mr Wilson] and making him accountable for his actions".
A preliminary post-mortem examination by the St Louis County Medical Examiner's office on the day after Mr Brown's death found he had been shot, police said, without disclosing how many times.
But a preliminary private post-mortem report has since revealed that he was shot at least six times, including twice in the head, the New York Times reports.
The probable fatal shot entered the top of Mr Brown's head, forensic pathologist Michael Baden was quoted by the paper as saying.
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What is the National Guard?
National Guard logo

  • Reserve group organised by the US Army and US Air Force.
  • Every US state and territory has a National Guard.
  • Can be called on by state governors during emergencies including riots and natural disasters.
  • Guard units may also be ordered into active duty for up to two years by the US president during national emergency.
  • Enlistment is voluntary
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Gunpowder residue suggested he was not shot at close range, but that finding could change once Mr Baden has access to the clothes Mr Brown was wearing at the time of his death, the newspaper reported.
He flew to Missouri on Sunday to conduct a separate autopsy at the request of the family.
After dark on Sunday, police in Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis, said they came under attack and had no alternative but to respond.
Demonstrators in Ferguson (17 August 2014)
Protesters ignored Sunday's curfew and marched down the city's main streets

Demonstrators gesture with their hands up after protests in reaction to the shooting of Michael Brown turned violent near Ferguson, Missouri 17 August 2014
Residents gathered in protest during the day on Sunday

Police on streets of Ferguson (17 August 2014)
Security forces accused some of the demonstrators of advancing on a police command post

Capt Ron Johnson said protesters had shot at officers and thrown petrol bombs and bottles before the five-hour curfew started at midnight local time (05:00 GMT).
He described the violence as "premeditated criminal acts" intended to provoke a reaction. A number of people were injured during the unrest, and police made several arrests.
No major incidents were reported during the curfew, which has now ended.
Missouri declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew on Saturday in response to the escalating violence.
'Disservice to community'
The killing of Mr Brown by a white policeman in a street has inflamed racial tensions in the largely black suburb.
Officer Darren Wilson shot the teenager after reportedly stopping him for walking in the street.
Demonstrators in Ferguson (17 August 2014)
Tensions between the demonstrators and police quickly escalated

Woman has water poured over her face after a tear gas attack in Ferguson (17 August 2014)
This women had water poured over her face to help counter the effects of tear gas

Protester in Ferguson holds up a 'Don't shoot' sign (17 August 2014)
"Hands up, Don't Shoot" has become a key slogan in the protests

The governor of Missouri has criticised police for releasing CCTV footage which apparently shows Mr Brown stealing cigars from a local shop some hours before his death.
Mr Nixon said the release of the footage "appeared to cast aspersions" on the dead man, saying "it made emotions raw".
But he also condemned the protesters: "These violent acts are a disservice to the family of Michael Brown and his memory and to the people of this community who yearn for justice to be served and to feel safe in their own homes."

Ferguson unrest

21,205
Population of Ferguson, Missouri
65%
Black or black African
  • 6% Police officers are black
  • 9% Unemployed
  • 21% Families living below the poverty line
Getty
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Timeline of events
Michael Brown, the 18 year old who was shot dead in Ferguson, Missouri
Michael Brown had recently graduated from high school.

  • 9 Aug: Michael Brown is shot by police officer Darren Wilson after an altercation
  • 10 Aug: Unrest begins to brew after a candlelight vigil for Mr Brown, with car windows smashed and stores looted
  • 11 Aug: FBI opens an investigation into the teenager's killing. Tensions escalate at night, with riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters
  • 15 Aug: Police release a video purporting to show Mr Brown robbing a convenience store. The move further angers demonstrators and leads to new clashes with police
  • 16 Aug: Missouri declares a state of emergency and imposes a curfew in Ferguson

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