If you cast your mind back a few months to August, you'll remember when there were protests in America, most notably in a suburb of St Louis called Ferguson. This is where an 18-year-old, Michael Brown, had been shot and killed by a police officer. Michael was unarmed and in the protests that ensued, people called for the police officer who shot him, Darren Wilson, to be charged with murder. Many saw the shooting as an example of racism in the US, reports the BBC.
However, a grand jury has decided that Wilson will not be charged for Michael's death. Immediately after the announcement of the grand jury's findings, Barack Obama called for people 'angry' with the decision to choose the peaceful method of protest.
'Either way it was going to be subject of intense disagreement, not only in Ferguson, but across America.'
'There are Americans who agree with it, and there are Americans who are deeply disappointed, even angry. It's an understandable reaction. But I join Michael's parents in asking anyone who protests this decision to do so peacefully.'
He then repeated a statement from Michael Brown's father: '"Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer. No matter what the grand jury decides, I do not want my son's death to be in vain. I want it to lead to incredible change, positive change, change that makes the St Louis region better for everyone."'
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However, as well as peaceful protests in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC and parts of Ferguson itself, there are riots going on across America. Tear gas has been used in Ferguson, and there are reports of gunfire, fires and looting in the area. Things are so bad that flights are currently not allowed to land at Lambert-St Louis airport.
As well as images of the protests, there is a Vine of Michael's mother, crying, wearing a #JFMS (justice for my son) hat:
As for the peaceful protesters, their form of protest is putting their hands up in the air and saying 'hands up, don't shoot'. Michael is said by witnesses to have had his hands up when he was shot. The protesters are doing this along streets or as part of sit-ins on roads. This is one at the Supreme Court in Washington DC:
Rapper Macklemore also seems to have turned up to the protest in Seattle, too.
Governor Nixon for Louisiana has ordered that National Guardsmen join the police to protect them. As for Wilson? Social media is circulating the images of the injuries Michael gave him – the same images that were submitted to the grand jury as evidence not to charge Wilson. You can see them here.
Follow Sophie on Twitter @sophwilkinson
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.