mick silver
22nd November 2014, 10:10 AM
Rising tension ahead of Ferguson grand jury decisionhttp://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-08-26/d19448d6-6aaa-4359-a768-eadacf5fbca9_afp-gif_new.gif (http://www.afp.com/) By Jennie Matthew 42 minutes ago
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Ferguson (United States) (AFP) - Tensions were high on Saturday in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, with a US grand jury poised to decide whether to prosecute a white police officer for killing an unarmed black teenager.
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State of emergency declared in US protest town (http://news.yahoo.com/state-emergency-declared-us-protest-town-205834473.html) AFP
Ferguson father delivers plea for peace ahead of grand jury decision on Officer Darren Wilson (http://news.yahoo.com/ferguson-father-delivers-plea-for-peace-ahead-of-michael-brown-grand-jury-decision-011139574.html) Yahoo News
More arrests as protesters await Ferguson grand jury decision (http://news.yahoo.com/ferguson-awaits-grand-jury-outcome-police-arrest-protesters-032730564.html) Reuters
Officials prepare for Ferguson grand jury decision, urge calm (http://news.yahoo.com/officials-prepare-ferguson-grand-jury-decision-urge-calm-010744737.html) Reuters
Ahead of grand jury, Missouri prepares for decision on Ferguson shooting (http://news.yahoo.com/ahead-grand-jury-missouri-prepares-decision-ferguson-shooting-005707447.html) Christian Science Monitor
US President Barack Obama has called for calm, Missouri's governor declared a state of emergency and activated the state National Guard, and the FBI has deployed an extra 100 personnel to the area.
Police helicopters trained search lights over Ferguson late Friday as a small gaggle of protesters braved the cold to demand that officer Darren Wilson stand trial for shooting 18-year-old Michael Brown dead on August 9.
Brown's killing triggered two weeks of violence that inflamed racial tensions in the St. Louis suburb of 21,000, which has an African American majority and an overwhelmingly white police force and town government.
"I'm here for justice. If we don't get justice, aint nobody gonna get no peace," said 22-year-old Ebony, who works in security and refused to give a second name.
"We're going to keep protesting until we know what's right gets done," she told AFP. "I want to see Darren Wilson go to jail."
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(http://news.yahoo.com/photos/michael-brown-sr-l-lesley-mcspadden-parents-unarmed-photo-220518573.html)Michael Brown Sr. (L) and Lesley McSpadden, parents of the unarmed black teenager Michael Brown who …
Brown, a high-school graduate planning on attending technical college, was shot at least six times by Wilson. His body was left in the street for hours.
Wilson reportedly told the grand jury he acted in self-defense after tussling with the youth. Others say Brown had his hands in the air when he was shot.
- 'Angry people' -
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay says police commanders have spent much of the last three months since the fatal shooting holding talks with community and protest leaders to prepare for the fallout of the grand jury decision, which is expected any time.
"If protesters are not violent, police will not be aggressive. But if some protesters turn violent or threatening, police will respond to keep everyone safe," he said.
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(http://news.yahoo.com/photos/demonstrators-shout-slogans-protesting-killing-18-old-michael-photo-081157091.html)Demonstrators shout slogans protesting the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missour …
Depending on circumstances, authorities may allow demonstrators to occupy public spaces longer than normally allowed, he said.
A father of two protesting overnight with his face hidden behind a Halloween mask said tensions were rising in Ferguson.
"I think there's going to be some angry people, that's all I know," said the man, who refused to give his name.
In the United States, grand juries meet in secret to review some cases before deciding whether criminal charges should be brought.
The jury could indict Wilson, meaning he could face trial, or it could determine there is no case for him to answer.
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(http://news.yahoo.com/photos/police-officers-hold-position-during-protest-november-20-photo-220518713.html)Police officers hold position during a protest on November 20, 2014 outside the Ferguson Police Depa …
Few of the protesters believe the jury will indict Wilson.
"There's going to be violence, I do believe," said Jo Ann Davis, a government employee who said she would not take part if rallies turn ugly.
"I think it's going to be worse than it was back in August because you've got busloads of people that came in here from all over the world just to protest."
- Fears of violence -
Cathy Jackson, a grandmother of four, said people were apprehensive.
"I think everybody's kind of anxious, a little nervous about what's going to happen," she said. "I think the police are just amped up way too much."
"I don't want to say they're going to riot, loot and all of that. I know we're going to keep protesting until something changes... racial profiling, that's the main thing. That has got to stop."
On Friday, Obama called for the demonstrations to stay peaceful.
"This is a country that allows everybody to express their views, allows them to peacefully assemble to protest actions that they think are unjust, but using any event as an excuse for violence is contrary to rule of law and contrary to who we are."
Brown's father, Michael Brown Sr, also appealed for restraint. "Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer," he said in a somber video plea.
St. Louis County prosecutors have said they are setting up a press conference to announce the decision, but have not confirmed the date, time and location.
Schools in the area announced they would close Monday and Tuesday due to potential unrest. The Thanksgiving holiday will keep them closed for the rest of next week.
Some demonstrators in August complained that police used undue force during peaceful protests. There was widespread criticism of military-style weapons and protective gear deployed by local officers.
Unrest, Conflicts & War
Society & Culture
President Barack Obama
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Ferguson (United States) (AFP) - Tensions were high on Saturday in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, with a US grand jury poised to decide whether to prosecute a white police officer for killing an unarmed black teenager.
Related Stories
State of emergency declared in US protest town (http://news.yahoo.com/state-emergency-declared-us-protest-town-205834473.html) AFP
Ferguson father delivers plea for peace ahead of grand jury decision on Officer Darren Wilson (http://news.yahoo.com/ferguson-father-delivers-plea-for-peace-ahead-of-michael-brown-grand-jury-decision-011139574.html) Yahoo News
More arrests as protesters await Ferguson grand jury decision (http://news.yahoo.com/ferguson-awaits-grand-jury-outcome-police-arrest-protesters-032730564.html) Reuters
Officials prepare for Ferguson grand jury decision, urge calm (http://news.yahoo.com/officials-prepare-ferguson-grand-jury-decision-urge-calm-010744737.html) Reuters
Ahead of grand jury, Missouri prepares for decision on Ferguson shooting (http://news.yahoo.com/ahead-grand-jury-missouri-prepares-decision-ferguson-shooting-005707447.html) Christian Science Monitor
US President Barack Obama has called for calm, Missouri's governor declared a state of emergency and activated the state National Guard, and the FBI has deployed an extra 100 personnel to the area.
Police helicopters trained search lights over Ferguson late Friday as a small gaggle of protesters braved the cold to demand that officer Darren Wilson stand trial for shooting 18-year-old Michael Brown dead on August 9.
Brown's killing triggered two weeks of violence that inflamed racial tensions in the St. Louis suburb of 21,000, which has an African American majority and an overwhelmingly white police force and town government.
"I'm here for justice. If we don't get justice, aint nobody gonna get no peace," said 22-year-old Ebony, who works in security and refused to give a second name.
"We're going to keep protesting until we know what's right gets done," she told AFP. "I want to see Darren Wilson go to jail."
View gallery
http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/e7Gp8WPC1vTF7WfyCP7V7w--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTIwMTtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/Part-PAR-Par8027022-1-1-0.jpg
(http://news.yahoo.com/photos/michael-brown-sr-l-lesley-mcspadden-parents-unarmed-photo-220518573.html)Michael Brown Sr. (L) and Lesley McSpadden, parents of the unarmed black teenager Michael Brown who …
Brown, a high-school graduate planning on attending technical college, was shot at least six times by Wilson. His body was left in the street for hours.
Wilson reportedly told the grand jury he acted in self-defense after tussling with the youth. Others say Brown had his hands in the air when he was shot.
- 'Angry people' -
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay says police commanders have spent much of the last three months since the fatal shooting holding talks with community and protest leaders to prepare for the fallout of the grand jury decision, which is expected any time.
"If protesters are not violent, police will not be aggressive. But if some protesters turn violent or threatening, police will respond to keep everyone safe," he said.
View gallery
http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ycIMcSj0gs8Ys8d.ZsMoVg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTIwMDtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/Part-WAS-Was8882336-1-1-0.jpg
(http://news.yahoo.com/photos/demonstrators-shout-slogans-protesting-killing-18-old-michael-photo-081157091.html)Demonstrators shout slogans protesting the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missour …
Depending on circumstances, authorities may allow demonstrators to occupy public spaces longer than normally allowed, he said.
A father of two protesting overnight with his face hidden behind a Halloween mask said tensions were rising in Ferguson.
"I think there's going to be some angry people, that's all I know," said the man, who refused to give his name.
In the United States, grand juries meet in secret to review some cases before deciding whether criminal charges should be brought.
The jury could indict Wilson, meaning he could face trial, or it could determine there is no case for him to answer.
View gallery
http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/eCcxx8ctubLDmzlJv6YDDw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTIwMDtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/Part-WAS-Was8882130-1-1-0.jpg
(http://news.yahoo.com/photos/police-officers-hold-position-during-protest-november-20-photo-220518713.html)Police officers hold position during a protest on November 20, 2014 outside the Ferguson Police Depa …
Few of the protesters believe the jury will indict Wilson.
"There's going to be violence, I do believe," said Jo Ann Davis, a government employee who said she would not take part if rallies turn ugly.
"I think it's going to be worse than it was back in August because you've got busloads of people that came in here from all over the world just to protest."
- Fears of violence -
Cathy Jackson, a grandmother of four, said people were apprehensive.
"I think everybody's kind of anxious, a little nervous about what's going to happen," she said. "I think the police are just amped up way too much."
"I don't want to say they're going to riot, loot and all of that. I know we're going to keep protesting until something changes... racial profiling, that's the main thing. That has got to stop."
On Friday, Obama called for the demonstrations to stay peaceful.
"This is a country that allows everybody to express their views, allows them to peacefully assemble to protest actions that they think are unjust, but using any event as an excuse for violence is contrary to rule of law and contrary to who we are."
Brown's father, Michael Brown Sr, also appealed for restraint. "Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer," he said in a somber video plea.
St. Louis County prosecutors have said they are setting up a press conference to announce the decision, but have not confirmed the date, time and location.
Schools in the area announced they would close Monday and Tuesday due to potential unrest. The Thanksgiving holiday will keep them closed for the rest of next week.
Some demonstrators in August complained that police used undue force during peaceful protests. There was widespread criticism of military-style weapons and protective gear deployed by local officers.
Unrest, Conflicts & War
Society & Culture
President Barack Obama
Click to view comments
View Comments (161)