The Ferguson protests

The Ferguson protests

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A man has his face doused with milk to counter the effects of an eye irritant used by security forces against protesters in Ferguson.

For over a week the the city of Ferguson has been the scene of demonstrations that have raised questions about the state of U.S. race relations after the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a white policeman.

. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Protests broke out in Ferguson after 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed while walking down a residential street in the Missouri town in the afternoon. The officer who shot him has been identified as Darren Wilson, 28.

Accounts of Brown's slaying differ sharply. According to police, Wilson reported that Brown reached into the policeman's cruiser when Wilson approached him on the street, then grabbed for the officer's gun.

A companion of Brown said the teenager was initially shot after the officer tried to grab him through the car window and again after Brown staggered back with his hands in the air.

An independent autopsy arranged by Brown's family found he had been shot six times, including twice in the head.

Many protesters have demonstrated against his death with their arms in the air, chanting “hands up, don’t shoot”.

. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

In this image, a protester throws back a smoke bomb while clashing with police in Ferguson.

The demonstrations, mostly peaceful but with spasms of violence, looting and vandalism by smaller groups, have captured headlines around the world.

They have exposed simmering racial tensions in a mostly black town whose police force, political leadership and public education administration are dominated by whites.

. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Here, riot police clear demonstrators from a street in Ferguson.

The unrest in the town has re-ignited a national debate over racial disparities in the U.S. criminal justice system, even drawing sharp words from the United Nations' top human rights envoy, Navi Pillay.

"I condemn the excessive force by the police and call for the right of protest to be respected," she said in Geneva.

. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich

On Aug. 14, Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson (pictured above) was placed temporarily in command of police in Ferguson.

Johnson, who grew up in the town, said he would take a "different approach" to policing after complaints that officers used heavy-handed tactics.

His appointment did not immediately put a halt to unrest, however. On the night of Aug. 18 and early Aug. 19, at least 57 people were arrested in Ferguson, most accused of disobeying police orders to disperse.

Clashes that night were marked by volleys of tear gas fired at demonstrators and rocks and bottles and gasoline bombs hurled at police. Johnson said officers also had come under "heavy gunfire" on the night of Aug. 18 but did not return it.

. ST. LOUIS, United States. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Lesley McSpadden, the mother of the dead teenager Michael Brown, holds up a drawing of her son while leaving a news conference in St. Louis.

Brown's family and supporters have called for the arrest of the officer who shot him.

McSpadden spoke out in a televised interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" programme, saying peace could be restored "with justice... arresting this man and making him accountable for his action."

. BROOKLYN, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

The unrest in Ferguson following Brown’s shooting has drawn attention both across the United States and abroad. In the image above, people attend a vigil in honour of the dead teenager in New York.

The St. Louis County prosecutor's office is expected to begin presenting evidence to a grand jury investigating Brown’s death, in a case that Missouri Governor Jay Nixon vowed would be treated as a "vigorous prosecution."

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Slideshow

Police officers patrol a street in Ferguson.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Police officers patrol a street in Ferguson.

A demonstrator raises his hands in front of an officer.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

A demonstrator raises his hands in front of an officer.

A destroyed convenience store is pictured behind protesters.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

A destroyed convenience store is pictured behind protesters.

Demonstrator Keisha Gray cries as she protests against Brown’s shooting.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Demonstrator Keisha Gray cries as she protests against Brown’s shooting.

Riot police stand guard.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Riot police stand guard.

Police officers briefly detain a woman during a night of protests.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Police officers briefly detain a woman during a night of protests.

Protesters chant as they ride on a car during a peaceful demonstration.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Protesters chant as they ride on a car during a peaceful demonstration.

Masked individuals carry items out of a liquor store during the on-going protests.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Masked individuals carry items out of a liquor store during the on-going protests.

Sam's Meat Market & More employee Steve Sumad surveys damage caused by looters the night before.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Sam's Meat Market & More employee Steve Sumad surveys damage caused by looters the night before.

A woman dances during church services at the Greater St. Mark Family Church, as the community discusses reactions to Michael Brown’s death.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

A woman dances during church services at the Greater St. Mark Family Church, as the community discusses reactions to Michael Brown’s death.

Protesters gesture as they stand in a street in defiance of a midnight curfew meant to stem on-going demonstrations.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Protesters gesture as they stand in a street in defiance of a midnight curfew meant to stem on-going demonstrations.

A demonstrator reaches down to throw back a smoke canister as police clear a street after the passing of the midnight curfew.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

A demonstrator reaches down to throw back a smoke canister as police clear a street after the passing of the midnight curfew.

A protester has her face doused to counter the effects of tear gas.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

A protester has her face doused to counter the effects of tear gas.

Demonstrators take part in a peaceful demonstration in response to Brown’s shooting.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Demonstrators take part in a peaceful demonstration in response to Brown’s shooting.

Rapper Nelly (centre) takes part in a peaceful march.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Rapper Nelly (centre) takes part in a peaceful march.

Police officers detain a demonstrator.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Joshua Lott

Police officers detain a demonstrator.

Members of a group of demonstrators stand with their hands up as they are lit by a police spotlight.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Members of a group of demonstrators stand with their hands up as they are lit by a police spotlight.

Resident John West hands a rose to a police officer, showing his appreciation for help with cleanup efforts in Ferguson.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich

Resident John West hands a rose to a police officer, showing his appreciation for help with cleanup efforts in Ferguson.

Security forces charge demonstrators after being hit by water bottles during a protest.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

Security forces charge demonstrators after being hit by water bottles during a protest.

A demonstrator is detained.
. FERGUSON, United States. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

A demonstrator is detained.