A+ A-

Obama sends help to calm tensions as Missouri protests continue

WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (KUNA) -- US Attorney General Eric Holder arrived in Missouri on Wednesday, where he hopes to calm tensions and oversee a "fair and thorough" investigation, following several nights of violence in the streets as an aftermath of the death of an 18-year-old unarmed African-American teenager at the hands of a white police officer in Missouri.
Some enraged residents had vandalized and looted stores in the hours following Michael Brown's death, but most have simply marched with their hands raised, shouting, "hands up, don't shoot," which has become their mantra as they demand justice, asking why Brown was shot six times, including twice in the head. He was meant to start his first year in college last week.
In response to the thefts and large-scale gatherings, local police - who are predominantly white, as is the case across the country - donned military gear, brought in armored vehicles, and used tear gas and noise cannons in an attempt to disperse the mostly African-American crowds and encourage them to abide by a midnight curfew. But as the police presence grew more aggressive, some protesters threw bottles of ice, urine, and even molotov cocktails in an act of defiance. 47 people were arrested Tuesday night, while on Monday and over the weekend, the dozens arrested included journalists, most famously from the Washington Post and the online newsmagazine, the Huffington Post. Although they were released without charge, the journalists have been vocal in their criticism of the police department and its infringement on their rights.
"There's no excuse for excessive force by police or any action that denies people the right to protest peacefully," said Obama in remarks on Monday. "Ours is a nation of laws for the citizens who live under them and for the citizens who enforce them." He also affirmed what many African-Americans have felt for decades - a deep disdain for police, who are seen as often targeting blacks.
"In too many communities around the country, a gulf of mistrust exists between local residents and law enforcement," Obama acknowledged. "In too many communities, too many young men of color are left behind and seen only as objects of fear." Missouri's Governor Jay Nixon called in the state's Highway Patrol last week, led by Captain Ron Johnson, an African-American who marched with protesters upon his arrival. But by early Monday, the National Guard had made its way into Ferguson as further violence erupted. "I'll be watching over the next several days to assess whether in fact [the National Guard] is helping rather than hindering progress in Ferguson," said Obama.
A grand jury is set to hear from witnesses on Wednesday before deciding if the officer who shot Brown, 28-year-old Darren Wilson, will face charges. (end) ys.nfm